Chelsea miss out on victory after Oscar’s penalty blunder

Chelsea 2 Watford 2

Oscar’s embarrassing penalty miss cost Chelsea victory in Guus Hiddink’s first match in charge since returning as Blues boss.

Diego Costa scored twice, putting the hosts ahead and then equalising after Troy Deeney had levelled for Watford with a penalty and Odion Ighalo’s shot went in off Gary Cahill.

And when Eden Hazard, on as a substitute, was hacked down just inside the area by Valon Behami in the 80th minute, Chelsea were presented with the chance to regain the lead.

But Oscar slipped as he made contact with the ball, scooping his spot-kick well over the bar.

It meant the Boxing Day clash ended in frustration for the struggling champions, although it could have been much worse – they were heading for a fourth defeat in seven home league matches before Costa equalised.

The Spain striker’s first-half opener was his first goal in more than a month.

Willian swung in a corner from the right and after John Terry won the header, Costa turned and volleyed home with his left boot from just inside the six-yard box.

But Nemanja Matic gifted Watford a chance to level when he inexplicably handled Ben Watson’s 41st-minute corner, and Deeney made no mistake with the resulting penalty.

Chelsea wanted a penalty of their own when the ball struck Miguel Britos on the arm early in the second half.

Referee Andre Marriner was having none of it – and worse followed for the Blues when they went behind on 55 minutes.

Jose Jurado played the ball towards the edge of the box and Ighalo’s shot hit Cahill, wrongfooting keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Chelsea hit back 10 minutes later, when Willian found space on the right and Costa drifted away from Hornets defender Craig Cathcart before steering his shot beyond keeper Heurelho Gomes.

Costa’s fine finish, followed by Hazard’s immediate impact, galvanised Hiddink’s side but Watford survived courtesy of Oscar’s blunder.

John Mikel Obi, who replaced Cesc Fabregas at half-time, went close for Chelsea with an injury-time shot that flashed narrowly wide.