Chelsea 3-0 Watford: Hazard helps Blues surpass Spurs at 3rd & Higuain scores

Chelsea rise up to third in the Premier League with a commanding victory over Watford at Stamford Bridge.

Match Report

After struggling in the opening period, Chelsea moved through the gears in the second half to seal a comfortable win over Watford.

Chelsea took a huge step towards Champions League qualification by completing a 3-0 victory over Watford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Tottenham's 1-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday opened the door for Chelsea to go third in the Premier League and they took advantage courtesy of goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, David Luiz and Gonzalo Higuain.

The Blues were under pressure for much of the first half and lost midfield enforcer N'Golo Kante to a muscle injury after 10 minutes, making the France international a doubt for their Europa League semi-final, second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

The recalled Eden Hazard assisted goals for Kante's replacement Loftus-Cheek and David Luiz in the space of three second-half minutes, before Gonzalo Higuain rounded off the scoring as Chelsea edged closer to a top-four finish.

Player Ratings

Match Events

8' Great save from Kepa!

Holebas whips in an outstanding cross from deep on the left that Deeney powers towards the top corner. Kepa dives across and gets a firm hand to it in fine style! Hughes latches onto the rebound but lashes well over.

10' INJURY! Kante replaced by Loftus-Cheek

Kante goes down off the ball holding his hamstring. The physio signals to the bench that a change will be needed. That's a blow for the Blues, particularly with their Europa League fixtures on the horizon.

48' GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Watford (Loftus-Cheek)

Chelsea take the lead! The corner is worked short to Hazard, and the Belgian lifts the ball into the middle where Loftus-Cheek attacks it well and nods home! It's 1-0 to Chelsea!

51' GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Watford (Luiz)

Chelsea have doubled their lead in the blink of an eye! A second corner is swung in and Mariappa loses David Luiz, who steams into the middle and powers a header in! It's 2-0 to Chelsea!

58' WHAT A CHANCE! Pedro's shot saved

It's lovely build-up play as Kovacic shows quick feet to find Jorginho, who slides it through for Hazard into the box on the right. He shows great balance to cut inside his man and play it into Pedro, and the Spaniard lashes a low shot that Foster does really well to keep out. Higuain latches onto the loose ball with Foster on the deck, but he can only guide it wide under pressure!

75' GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Watford (Higuain)

Higuain makes it 3-0 to Chelsea! Pedro plays him in behind the defenders and into the box on the right, and the striker lifts the ball neatly over the advancing Foster and into the back of the net! Game over.

84' OFFSIDE! Gray's goal disallowed

The free-kick comes in and evades everyone, pinging back off the base of the post! Success gets his head to the rebound but Gray is in front of him and it hits his fellow substitute's head and bounces in, making it offside!

89' Cahill subbed on

Cahill comes on for David Luiz to a warm ovation from the home faithful. Azpilicueta hands him the captain's armband for what is probably the last appearance of his Chelsea career.