Watford suffered their first loss in four Premier League games on Boxing Day as Belgian star Eden Hazard fired Chelsea to a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road.
The home side started brightly and could have taken the lead when Kepa Arrizabalaga cleared the ball to Gerard Deulofeu but the Spaniard could not find Hornets skipper Troy Deeney.
Watford had the better of the early chances through Abdoulaye Doucoure and Deeney but it was Hazard who prodded the visitors in front. The lead proved short lived as Roberto Pereyra superbly draw Watford level from a cross from Jose Holebas.
After David Luiz appeared to haul Deulofeu to the floor early in the second half, Watford appeals for a penalty were turned down but Hazard put the West London club back in front just before the hour from the spot.
Watford continued to press and even home keeper Ben Foster joined the attack in the dying minutes but Chelsea held out for the three points.
The Hornets suffered a further blow after Christian Kabasele was taken to hospital after he collided with the post.
Tweeting this morning, the Belgian international seemed to be in good spirits.
He wrote: “Good morning everybody. Hopefully nothing broken but still have big pain? Great gesture of the goal post who visited me at hospital? Thank you for your messages I hope to be back as soon as possible? #watfordfc”
Picture courtesy of Alan Cozzi
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