Chelsea win at Watford to stay top
Hakim Ziyech’s winner kept Chelsea top of the Premier League.
Mason Mount put them ahead at Vicarage Road, where the match was suspended for almost half an hour in the first half because a fan suffered a cardiac arrest – but was later said to be stable.
It was a tough night for the Blues against a Watford side which caused them problems and equalised through Emmanuel Dennis a couple of minutes before half-time.
Mount, having earlier fired against the post, marked his return to the starting line-up with the opening goal.
Marcos Alonso did well on the left and picked out Kai Havertz, who played the ball to his right to tee up Mount for an emphatic first-time finish.
But Watford, much-improved since the arrival of former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, deservedly drew level.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was at fault, losing the ball to Moussa Sissoko, who found Dennis.
The Nigerian forward took on Antonio Rudiger and his shot through the defenders’s legs took a slight deflection off him, leaving keeper Edouard Mendy helpless.
Thomas Tuchel made six changes, including giving summer signing Saul his first Premier League start since September when he was substituted at half-time after struggling badly on his debut.
And it was the same outcome this time – the midfielder was again replaced at the interval after similarly struggling to cope with the pace of the game.
Thiago Silva was sent on in his place, with Trevoh Chalobah moved into midfield, and Chelsea were better in the second half, although still not at their best.
The decisive goal, scored with 18 minutes remaining, was well worked.
Alonso headed Rudiger’s pass off to Mount, who galloped down the left and crossed for Ziyech, on as a substitute, to score from eight yards out.
Chelsea: Mendy, Azpilicueta (Lukaku 69), Chalobah (Ziyech 60), Christensen, Rudiger, Alonso, Loftus-Cheek, Saul (Silva 45), Mount, Pulisic, Havertz
Subs not used: Kepa, Jorginho, Werner, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Sarr.
