Thomas Tuchel’s Blues clinched a narrow win over the Premier League’s new boys Watford on their midweek travels to Vicarage Road.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
The visitors were forced on the back foot early on with Edouard Mendy having to deny Pedro who was left unmarked to head the ball from a delivery into the box.
With the game suspended inside the opening 15 minutes due to a fan’s cardiac arrest in the stands, both teams made their way back to the dressing rooms.
Mason Mount went close to finding the back of the net following the restart and the England international was lucky the second time around just minutes later to make it 1-0 for the Blues.
Chelsea, however, were tamed just prior to the half-time whistle with Loftus-Cheek robbed off the ball by Sissoko who set Dennis up to level the scoreline.
Mendy was called into action in the opening period of the second half with the Chelsea No.1 making a good stop to deny ex-Manchester United man Cleverly from giving the hosts the lead.
Hakim Ziyech was brought off the bench by Tuchel and the Moroccon’s arrival reaped rewards for Chelsea who went 2-1 up with less than 20 minutes left to play for.
A ferocious Juraj Kucka free-kick had Mendy tipping the ball over with the Blues battling across the finish line to claim a hard-earned three points.
