Chelsea got out of jail once again as an 87th-minute Diego Costa goal fired Antonio Conte’s side to a 2-1 win over Watford.
There were some very nervy moments for the visitors over the contest and Walter Mazzarri’s Hornets will be looking at the result as a missed opportunity, given they seemed to have the game under control for large portions.
Outside90’s Christian Filippo takes a look at three players who needed to do more at Vicarage Road:
READ MORE: Top three performers: Watford 1 Chelsea 2 – Costa rescues Blues again
Heurelho Gomes (Watford)
For 70 minutes, it looked like Gomes would shut out Chelsea for the second consecutive time on Watford’s pitch. However, two late blemishes cost his side goals and ultimately the win.
The 35-year-old fumbled a relatively tame shot from Eden Hazard straight into the path of Michy Batshuayi, while he will be disappointed with his effort when Costa scored the winner just 15 minutes later.
Pedro (Chelsea)
While his fellow countryman Cesc Fabregas turned the game from the bench, Pedro did not do himself any favours after being handed a starting role in place of the injured Willian.
He was unable provide his side with any clear-cut opportunities and struggled overall when it came to finding space and distributing to teammates. He was replaced by Victor Moses after 70 minutes and was not particularly inspiring on either wing.
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
He was again caught out for the home team’s goal along with Pedro, completely losing Etienne Capoue on the back post as Watford opened the scoring.
Ivanovic is a player who Chelsea fans have been more than happy to point the finger at over the last 12 months of their poor run in form. He did not quieten the doubters against the Hornets after a positive performance against West Ham, struggling both offensively and defensively as Watford exploited the Blues’ faltering right-hand side.
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