By Gary Watton
May 15 2017
Credit must go to Watford for refusing to let the occasion pass them by. They twice equalised, including coming back from 3-1 down to 3-3, even briefly threatening an unlikely away win. They also took the match so seriously that their challenges for the ball were a bit too enthusiastic at times, resulting in an eventual red card. Of course, the vistors were assisted by a makeshift Chelsea team, as the manager correctly shuffled his pack and rested players ahead of Wembley duty. That said, Mr Conte surprisingly started Hazard. The Belgian maestro was his usual bag of tricks, twisting and turning and getting upended by some naughty fouls yet again. Perhaps the star of the show was Willian who is maybe in the form of his life. It's amazing that this great player can't even get a starting place. Then, that's the price to pay for being in the squad of the best team in Britain!
Elsewhere, beady eyes were being cast upon the Chelsea youngsters and fringe players. Zouma I'm afraid now looks like little boy lost. It is no coincidence that when he plays, we leak goals. The latter certainly applies when Begovic is between the sticks. He's guaranteed to walk the plank this summer. Ake did okay apart from being beaten too easily for their second goal. Old man Terry marked his emotional return with another goal from a set piece followed very quickly with an assist for Capoue!
Kenedy is a prospect going forward. He's not afraid to shoot, but is maybe too selfish. I guess that he is young and desperate to impress. It remains to be seen whether Conte can convert him into a genuinely solid left wing back who can defend as well as attack. It was great to see Batshuayi get on the scoresheet again. He's finishing a frustrating season with a flourish. He might have a future with us yet. I thought that Chalobah was fairly anonymous, while the final shout, and indeed standing ovation, should be accorded to Dave Azpilicueta. The guy has been immense this season and previous ones. He marked the occasion with a sweetly struck goal that restored our lead. Cesar is one of the jewels in the Chelsea crown. He's well on the path to legend status.
CHELSEA 4 Watford 3; half time: 2-1
CHELSEA goal scorers: Terry; Azpilicueta; Batshuayi; Fabregas
CHELSEA team: Begovic; Azpilicueta; Ake; Terry; Zouma; Kenedy; Chalobah; Kante; Batshuayi; Willian; Hazard. Used substitutes: Aina; Fabregas; Pedro
CHELSEA leading scorers:
Costa 21 goals
Hazard sixteen goals (including two penalties)
Pedro twelve goals
Willian eleven goals (including one penalty)
Cahill eight goals
Batshuayi seven goals (including one penalty)
Fabregas seven goals
Alonso six goals
Moses four goals
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