Watford v Chelsea player ratings
Ten-man Chelsea slumped to a heavy defeat against Watford. Here’s how we rated each Blues player in the 4-1 loss at Vicarage Road.
Thibaut Courtois: 6
Produced one good save from Abdoulaye Doucoure in the second half but was powerless to stop his side’s late slump.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 6
Kept on his toes throughout by the ever-dangerous Brazilian Richarlison and the persistence of a determined Hornets side. Put in a reliable shift, but was part of a bedraggled defence.
David Luiz: 5
Given plenty to do, with the muscular presence of Troy Deeney and the pace of Richarlison always testing. Frustrated into picking up a booking for hacking at Marvin Zeegelaar after losing the ball. It summed up a shambolic team effort.
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Gary Cahill: 5
Had the responsibility of keeping the lively Gerard Deulofeu in check and the Chelsea skipper was second best. Unable to do anything when Daryl Janmaat slalomed his way through the Blues defence to make it 2-1, or to deny Deulofeu a third on the counter.
Tiemoue Bakayoko: 4
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A shocker. Guilty of giving the ball away too much, even when under little pressure, and two mistimed tackles saw him sent off for two yellow cards after half an hour – the fourth Chelsea player sent off this season.
N’Golo Kante: 5
Toiled manfully to plug the gaps left by Bakayoko’s departure but this was a game which largely passed him by, Also lost possession a few times.
Willian: 6
Made way for Fabregas on 35 minutes soon after Chelsea were reduced to 10. Had looked reasonably bright until then, but maybe sacrificed to spare him the extra workload, given his recent return to the side after injury.
Eden Hazard: 7
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Started as a striker again but was never entirely comfortable until he drifted into wide positions. Not quite the devastating form he showed in the recent win at Brighton, but was still able to summon Chelsea’s one moment of quality with a sumptuous drive into the far corner to make it 1-1 and briefly raise hopes.
Pedro: 6
Plenty of energy and darts between the lines. Tried to spark the Blues into life and went closest in the first half with a left-footer over the bar. Went off injured just past the hour.
Davide Zappacosta: 5
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Struggled to make an impression down the left flank and was largely anonymous. That wonder strike against FK Qarabag in the Champions League seems a long time ago. Chelsea badly missed the galloping presence of Marcos Alonso.
Victor Moses: 6
Set up one first half chance for Pedro but still not looking anything like the Moses of last season. Managed a couple of runs and crosses during an improved second half spell.
Cesc Fabregas: 6
On for Willian in a bid by boss Antonio Conte to find some creativity, but seemed to catch the general malaise and was booked for a late tackle as Watford set up a counter-attack. Had a decent chance to equalise after good work from Hazard, but his effort was easily stopped.
Olivier Giroud: 6
Came on for Pedro on 63 minutes and had a lively first few minutes in a Chelsea shirt, only to see his new side crumble around him.
