Late Chelsea goals sink Watford

Late Chelsea goals sink Watford

Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata attempts a shot on goal under pressure from Watford's Christian Kabasele in their English Premier league match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. (Reuters Photo)
Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata attempts a shot on goal under pressure from Watford's Christian Kabasele in their English Premier league match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. (Reuters Photo)

LONDON: 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 after 12 minutes 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 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.

The win lifts Chelsea into fourth place, a point ahead of Watford, one of the surprise teams of the young season.

Entering Saturday's match, the surprising Hornets had won 10 points from a possible 12 away from home this season. 

Chelsea lost three of their first eight matches this season. No team has ever lost this many of their opening eight matches and still won the Premier League title.

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