Sports

Chelsea withstand pressure to sink Watford

Chelsea withstand pressure to sink Watford

By REUTERS

Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger (right), Michy Batshuayi (centre) and Tiemoue Bakayoko (right) during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford, at Stamford Bridge, in London, Britain, on October 21, 2017. Photo: Reuters

  • Chelsea beat Watford 4-2 at Stamford Bridge
  • Pedro's curling shot from 25 metres put Chelsea ahead
  • Abdoulaye Doucoure equalised in first-half stoppage time
  • Roberto Pereyra put visitors in front with 49th-minute goal
  • Substitute Michy Batshuayi levelled with a header
  • Cesar Azpilicueta snatched third for Chelsea in 87th minute
  • Batshuayi added his second in the dying moments
  • Chelsea next visit Bournemouth, Watford home to Stoke City
Substitute Michy Batshuayi scored two second-half goals to help snatch a 4-2 victory for stuttering champions Chelsea against a lively Watford side in the Premier League on Saturday. In a sometimes frenzied end-to-end game Chelsea, who had lost their last two league matches, went ahead when Pedro whipped in a ferocious curling shot high off the post from 25 metres following a disputed corner. Watford equalised seconds before halftime through Abdoulaye Doucoure and in a rampant spell of attacking football went ahead four minutes after the break when Roberto Pereyra tapped home a Richarlison cross. But Michy Batshuayi headed home 20 minutes from time to spare Chelsea's blushes and added his second in the dying moments following an 87th-minute goal from defender Cesar Azpilicueta.