Chelsea won their second game in the Premier League, against a tricky Watford side at Vicarage Road, to maintain their 100% winning record this season.
After a stale first half, the second period saw goals from Etienne Capoue, Michy Batshuayi and Diego Costa, and a typically passionate celebration from Antonio Conte, something Chelsea fans will hope to get used to. After falling behind to a Capoue volley in the middle of the second half, Chelsea took the game to Watford and put as much pressure as they could. But despite having the lion’s share of possession in the Watford half, the Blues could never seem to create clear-cut chances.
Conte’s substitutions, though, seemed to do the trick. Moses, Batshuayi and Fabregas came on and there was an immediate impact. 23-year-old Batshuayi scored his first Chelsea goal after latching on a rebound to put Chelsea level late in the game. Minutes later, Cesc Fabregas would play an inch perfect pass to Diego Costa, who was the only Chelsea player on the counter. The former Atletico forward didn’t disappoint, slotting it past Heurelho Gomes to score his second last minute winner in as many Premier League games this season.
Chelsea stalwart Branislav Ivanovic hasn’t been the defender he once was. His performances over the course of last season showed that his best years on the right flank were behind him and his performances in the first two games of this season confirm it.
Watching Cahill and Ivanovic trying to defend is funnier than some of the comedy on TV these days.
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) August 20, 2016
Ivanovic will be in this Chelsea side after Aina has retired
— Rhys Davies (@RhysCFC) August 20, 2016
Ivanovic and Cahill poor. No chance for Courtois, great goal.
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) August 20, 2016
Ivanovic is such a mess.
— Conteholic (@Conteholic) August 20, 2016
Ricardo Rodriguez would solve two of the biggest issues at the club. He would give Hazard support and eliminate Ivanovic from the line-up.
— Ad Wojtkowiak (@AdamWojtkowiak) August 20, 2016
Fear for Aina’s confidence. He must be thinking “Wow I must be awful to be benched for Ivanovic”
— David (@TekkaBooSon) August 20, 2016
I am baffled how people can still defend Ivanovic and Oscar.
— We’ve got Antonio (@HearUsRoar19) August 20, 2016
The Blues’ fell behind thanks to a stunning goal from Etienne Capoue. It was the midfielder’s second goal in 2 games this season.
Nothing Courtois could on that shot, in the top corner. #CFCLive #WATCHE
— Chelsea India (@ChelseaIndia) August 20, 2016
GOAL Watford 1-0 Chelsea (55 mins). Etienne Capoue chests the ball down and rifles home to break the deadlock #WATCHE
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 20, 2016
When you have Capoue and McCauley on your bench and they both score pic.twitter.com/AbqM6LsY3J
— Not Neil (@_Dniall) August 20, 2016
2 – Etienne Capoue has scored in successive Premier League games, having scored once in 57 PL games before that. Buses.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 20, 2016
SCOUT SAYS: Two in two for Capoue (£4.5m) under new manager Mazzarri. The midfielder had scored just once in the previous 3 seasons #FPL
— FPL (@OfficialFPL) August 20, 2016
Conte’s substitution seemed to have paid off, with Michy Batshuayi getting in the right place at the right time to pounce on a rebound shot from Eden Hazard, which was saved by Gomes.
Conte surely has to start with 2 strikers at #CFC with Costa & Batshuayi up top they’d cause havoc against defenses. What a turn around 2-1.
— Ash ⚫️⭐️⚪️ (@juve93cule) August 20, 2016
GIF: Antonio Conte’s reaction to Batshuayi’s goal. #CFC pic.twitter.com/DnQ1GjG9pP
— chelskiblues (@chelski_blues) August 20, 2016
MICHY BATSHUAYI #CFC #KTBFFH @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/Sp4OAsTBXl
— Vijaykumar R (@rvijaykumar1091) August 20, 2016
From now on, Fabregas and Batshuayi MUST start
— Aleix Pendered (@Alejo_CFC) August 20, 2016
Michy Batshuayi and Diego Costa upfront is the way forward.
— ️ (@HazardEdition) August 20, 2016
Fabregas and Batshuayi have made all the difference. Showed how poor Oscar and Matic had been playing.
— Chelsea Transfers (@CFCTransfers) August 20, 2016
2 – Michy Batshuayi has either scored or assisted in both of his Premier League appearances from the bench so far for Chelsea. Impact.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 20, 2016
Costa, who was once again embroiled in controversy in this game, maybe shouldn’t have been on the pitch. But the Spanish international scored his second winner in two games. He was set up by compatriot Cesc Fabregas, who made an almost immediate impact after coming on to the pitch.
Batshuayi is two footed.
Costa is two footed… On opponents shins.
Love this strikeforce.— Ben (@CriminalCosta) August 20, 2016
United, City getting penalties and Costa skipping red cards. I might as well get used to it now.
— FG (@FunnyGooner) August 20, 2016
Diego Costa has scored with each of his last two shots on target in the league; both coming after the 87th minute. pic.twitter.com/wsvuHkjxbr
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 20, 2016
Costa’s goal. First touch almost ruined it but thankfully he scored.
pic.twitter.com/cLoGjBX4T6— #4. (@ThatMunichNight) August 20, 2016
When Diego Costa is interested in playing football…he makes a telling difference!
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) August 20, 2016
Don’t worry the headlines tomorrow will be about Costa “dive” that’s all the papers will want to talk about IF we win. They love him.
— ᒪ3ᗩᕼᑭᗩᖇ (@l3ahpar) August 20, 2016
3 – Diego Costa has scored in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since January 2015. Turnaround.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 20, 2016
Is Diego Costa gonna break a record for most goals scored in a season after he should have been sent off?
— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) August 20, 2016
Diego Costa now has 54 goals and assists in his two-plus year Chelsea career. Not bad. #cfc
— Jake Cohen (@JakeFCohen) August 20, 2016
Man of the match? He only came on with 11mins to go, but for pure impact, it has to be Cesc Fabregas.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) August 20, 2016
Good players adapt to systems that maybe don’t suit them. Fabregas is a very good player and he did just that. #Magic
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) August 20, 2016
How does Fabregas make a 60 yard pass look like a 5 yard pass? Crazy
— (((Ollie))) (@ollie_glanvill) August 20, 2016
That Fabregas pass looks better with every replay. Such quality..
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) August 20, 2016
26 – Since returning to the Premier League, Cesc Fabregas has more assists than any other player (26). Conductor.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 20, 2016
FABREGAS IS MAGIC ? #CFC pic.twitter.com/dPdPIDE7eK
— ChelseaFansChannel (@ChelseaFansYT) August 20, 2016
In the end, Antonio Conte celebrated in his typically passionate and wild manner.
Antonio Conte gives you new life #DiegoCosta #Fabregas
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2016
Antonio Conte is a DON. #CFC pic.twitter.com/gZUgdFOz2o
— iChelseaTweets (@iChelseaTweets) August 20, 2016
The Antonio Conte effect.
— Conteholic (@Conteholic) August 20, 2016
