Watford 1-2 Chelsea
So much for a season of struggle!
Chelsea have now equalled the club record of seven successive away victories in all competitions and are creating more Premier League 2019 highlights with each passing week.
That includes a club top-flight record of four consecutive away wins while scoring three or more goals in each.
Frank Lampard’s faith in his players is clearly rubbing off as the west Londoners are up to third in the Premier League.
He is now only the second manager in the club’s history to win seven consecutive away games in all competitions after Bobby Campbell (February-April 1989).
Highlights of the game
Yes, the SBOBET Premier League 2019 betting odds expected the rock bottom Hornets to suffer more blues.
Although, it was only two seasons ago they sealed a memorable win against the then-defending champions.
But the truth is Chelsea never looked back after a fifth-minute opener at Vicarage Road, nor did the basement battlers ever recover.
It was sparked by one of the balls of the season as Jorginho produced a superb pass and youngster Tammy Abraham showed terrific composure to lift the ball past Ben Foster.
Foster kept out Abraham with a fine save and then stopped last week’s hat-trick hero Christian Pulisic with an even better stop as the home side were pushed back and back.
Their lack of fortune was also evident when stand-in skipper Craig Cathcart had to leave the pitch through injury.
The home side did show glimpses of what they can do as the enigmatic Gerard Deulofeu whipped in a low shot which was only narrowly off target.
Yet at times it was a one-man show from Foster, who also tipped a Mason Mount effort onto the crossbar. That pattern continued after the interval as Foster parried behind another Mount effort.
But even the one-time England squad goalkeeper could not prevent Chelsea from doubling their advantage seven minutes after the restart. Abraham picked out the unmarked Pulisic, who tapped home from close range.
If not for Foster’s left boot, the American would have been on the scoresheet again within a minute, and Chelsea controlled proceedings until VAR became involved.
Deulofeu went down under a challenge by Jorginho and, after a look at the monitor, a penalty was awarded to the hosts. Deulofeu stepped up and sent his compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga the wrong way from the spot.
Despite a nervy few moments though, Chelsea never looked like conceding again and held on for a win they thoroughly deserved.
There remains genuine belief in Hertfordshire that recently returned boss Quique Sanchez Flores can steer them to safety.
Especially as the likes of captain Troy Deeney, Etienne Capoue, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley are all to return from injury.
But this was about Chelsea’s progress and the team spirit one of their favourite sons is creating.
Key statistics
Abraham has scored a Premier League-high seven away goals this season, more than any Blues player managed last season.
Eight of Pulisic’s nine goal involvements (goals or assists) for Chelsea this season have come away from Stamford Bridge, including all four of the American’s goals.
Jorginho has been involved in more Premier League goals this season (one goal and two assists in 11 games) than in the entirety of last season.
Abraham has scored seven goals in his six away appearances this season; only Kevin Phillips in 1999-00, Edin Dzeko in 2011-12 and Sergio Aguero in 2016-17 (all eight) have scored more in their opening six away appearances in a Premier League season.
Abraham is now level at the top of the Premier League scoring charts (nine goals) with Aguero and Jamie Vardy.
Watford have only won two of their 13 Premier League meetings with Chelsea, and two of their last 22 encounters in all competitions (drawn five, lost 15).
Watford have failed to win their first 11 games of a league campaign for the first time.
They are already the first team to fail to win any of their opening 10 games to a Premier League season on two occasions, having previously done so in 2006-07.
They are winless in 10 Premier League home matches, drawing four and losing six.
Watford have only scored two goals in their past six games in all competitions.
There have been 30 goals in Chelsea’s five Premier League away matches this season.
What’s next?
It’s a clash of all-yellows next Friday night when Watford travel to East Anglia to meet Norwich City in a crucial game at the foot of the table.
Chelsea are back in Champions League action in midweek. They host Ajax on Tuesday (November 5) and then welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge on (November 9).
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