Chelsea 1-0 Watford LIVE: Latest score, news, highlights and updates from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgePA

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Express Sport brings you all the latest team news, updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

28: Pedro with another long-range effort, this time a whisker wide of the post. There were far better options on for the winger, and I’m not just saying that because Eden Hazard is my Fantasy Football captain…

26: Tempers flaring at Stamford Bridge. Richarlison produces some wonderful skill to beat two Chelsea player before Rudiger whacks him over. Booked.

23: Double booking for Watford. Jose Holebas, who’s no stranger to a yellow card, goes in the book for dissent. Mariappa follows him in shortly after.

20: Pedro has had a hand in more goals in all comps in 2017 than any other Chelsea player (12 goals, 8 assists).

18: Oh Cesc! Chelsea should be 2-0 ahead, but Fabregas decided to be far too cleaver.

Alvaro Morata plays a crossfield pass to set the midfielder one-on-one with Gomes, buy Fabregas tries to chip the goalkeeper and gets it all wrong.

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgeGETTY

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

15: Just seen the replay of the decision to award a corner. The linesman delayed his decision for ages before deciding the last touch came off a Watford player. He was wrong. Take nothing away from the stunning finish though.

CHELSEA 1-0 WATFORD – PEDRO

12: What a hit! Chelsea are awarded a corner, which actually came off Eden Hazard last, and Pedro did the rest.

The Spaniard plays it short to Hazard, who returns the pass and Pedro curls a stunning 25-yard effort beyond Gomes and into the top corner off the post.

Advantage Chelsea, but can they hold on to their advantage this time?

11: More like it. Chelsea have started to play their way into things, and are looking dangerous on the break too.

A nice Chelsea break ends with Hazard very nearly finding Fabregas in space inside the box. Marco Silva needs to address Azpilicueta down the right flank. He’s having Holebas on toast.

10: Pedro’s deep cross is turned goalwards by Morata and Gomes springs to his right to save. The Spaniard didn’t really connect with it properly in fairness.

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgeGETTY

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

9: Watford boasting 70 per cent possession in these early stages. Fairly similar statistics to those against Roma on Wednesday. Not a great start from the Premier League champions.

6: Bit of a swagger about Watford. And why not? They’ve started the season in spectacular fashion.

Pereyra’s flick finds Richarlison, but for the second time in the opening six minutes, Rudiger is on-hand to clear it for a corner. Cleared.

3: Watford wearing an all red strip today, Chelsea in the traditional Blue. Richarlison drives straight through the middle but Rudiger nips in to halt him.

Seconds later, Azpilicueta cross for Morata inside the six-yard box, but the linesman flagged for offside. Lively start.

CHELSEA 0-0 WATFORD

1: Aaaaaand we’re off! Can Chelsea stop a run of three matches without a victory?

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

12:29: We’re almost underway folks. The Liquidator has been blasted over the PA system, the players have done their shaking hands routine, and I’ve poured myself a bucket of coffee. Let’s get going!

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgePA

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

STATISTICS

12:27: *Chelsea are unbeaten in 12 league and cup matches against Watford (W9, D3)

*Watford’s only Premier League win in eight meetings with the Blues (D2, L5) was back in September 1999. Alan Smart scored the game’s only goal.

*Watford’s last victory at Stamford Bridge was a 5-1 triumph on the final day of the 1985-86 top-flight season.

THE STARTING XI’S

12:25: Quick reminder of those line-ups folks.

Chelsea XI: Rudiger, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Azpilicueta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Morata, Hazard.

Subs: Caballero, Christiansen, Ampadu, Zappacosta, Musonda, Willian, Batshuayi.

Watford XI: Gomes; Mariappa, Kabasele, Britos; Femenía, Cleverley, Doucouré, Holebas; Pereyra, Deeney (C), Richarlison.

Subs: Karnezis (GK), Wagué, Janmaat, Watson, Capoue, Carrillo, Gray.

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgeGETTY

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

CHALOBAH TWEET

12:20: Nathaniel Chalobah hasn’t made too many friends with his latest Tweet.

The former Chelsea academy graduate ruffled a few feathers when writing: “Would love to be at the Bridge. good luck to the boys today. Come on Watford!”

Not quite sure why people are calling him a snake. He’s not on loan any more, lads!

TRAINING… CUT!

12:15: Now this sounds like my kind of team.

Antonio Conte says he’s been forced to cut down training by 70 percent because of playing in Europe.

I’d literally be lying on the floor for an hour if I dropped my levels by 60 per cent.

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgeTWITTER

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Branny: So… Andreas Christensen has been benched again for doing almost everything right…

Kev: Blocking all the so called Chelsea fans who slag off the team on my timeline. Get behind the team!

Charlie: Not sure about the way Watford are setting up. We always look stronger playing four at the back. Hope I am proved wrong.

PADREW KNOWS ALL

12:05: Why are Chelsea struggling? Apparently Alan Pardew has the answer folks.

Former Crystal Palace manager Pardew believes Chelsea’s participation in the Champions League is costing the dear.

“They’re struggling because of injuries and they’re struggling because of the Champions League and they’re struggling to defend their title at the moment,” Pardew said.

Thanks, Alan. How much do we owe you for that pearl of wisdom?

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgeREUTERS

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

TROY DOES WHAT HE WANTS

12:00: Watford striker Troy Deeney, who caused quite the stir with his comments about Arsenal’s cojones last week, is strutting around Stamford Bridge.

Over an hour before the game he was seen photographers and stewards, which you really don’t see too often in the Premier League.

THE PROGRAMME NOTES

11:55: Chelsea might be enduring a difficult period, but Gary Cahill isn’t worried.

The centre-back has dismissed reports of friction in the Chelsea dressing room, and insists the side remain motivated.

He wrote in today’s programme notes: “We are building something here so we must have patience and belief in the direction we are taking.

“The belief and motivation in the dressing room is still the same. Sometimes you have these little stutters, where you are below par and that’s when you look for a response.”

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Hassan: We’ve reached a point where I am actually afraid of playing Watford – enough said.

Toby: Feel so sorry for Chelsea and their injury crisis. They have such a weak squad. How will they cope?

Roscoe: Happy to see Antonio Rudiger start. Hopefully start fast, get an early goal & kick on better than we did on Wednesday!

CHELSEA TEAM NEWS

11:40: Antonio Conte has made three changes from last week’s defeat to Crystal Palace.

Willian and Michy Batshuayi both drop to the bench, while Victor Moses remains sidelined through injury.

In come Antonio Rudiger, Pedro and Alvaro Morata as Chelsea look to get back to winning ways.

17-year-old former Exeter defender Ethan Ampadu is on the substitutes bench. Lots of people saying this kid is the real deal.

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgeGETTY

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

WATFORD TEAM NEWS

11:35: Marco Silva makes one change to the side who beat Arsenal last week.

Troy Deeney replaces Andre Gray in attack as the Hornets continue with three at the back.

THE STARTING XI’S

11:30: As promised, here are today’s line-ups. I see that David Luiz has recovered from that calf strain.

Chelsea XI: Rudiger, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Azpilicueta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Morata, Hazard.

Subs: Caballero, Christiansen, Ampadu, Zappacosta, Musonda, Willian, Batshuayi.

Watford XI: Gomes; Mariappa, Kabasele, Britos; Femenía, Cleverley, Doucouré, Holebas; Pereyra, Deeney (C), Richarlison.

Subs: Karnezis (GK), Wagué, Janmaat, Watson, Capoue, Carrillo, Gray.

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgeGETTY

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

TEAM NEWS KLAXON

11:25: The starting XI’s will be arriving shortly folks. Fingers crossed Eden Hazard is starting, he’s my Fantasy Football captain…

CHELSEA vs WATFORD

11:20: How’s everyone feeling this morning?

I’m irritable. I spent the entire train journey to work listening to a group of ladies discussing the virtues of the humble avocado.

It was all very pleasant until one of the group suggested making tea with the seed…

From the onwards it was mutiny.

Speaking of mutiny, Antonio Conte has dismissed rumours of discontent swirling around Stamford Bridge, with some reports suggesting the players are unhappy with his training methods.

We’ll have more on that a little bit later.

MORNING FOLKS

11:15: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Watford from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are nine points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City after eight games, and desperately need to end a run of three matches without a win.

Conversely, Marco Silva’s Watford are loving life.

The Hornets climbed up to fourth place when coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 last Saturday, and have a genuine chance of winning at the Bridge for the first time since 1986.

It should be a belter. Let’s get going!

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgeREUTERS

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford BridgeGETTY

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Updates and analysis from Stamford Bridge

CHELSEA vs WATFORD – PREVIEW

Defender David Luiz (calf) and midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko (groin) are Chelsea’s latest injury concerns, with boss Antonio Conte saying he has “many doubts” for this game.

Midfielders Danny Drinkwater (calf) and N’Golo Kante (hamstring) and wing-back Victor Moses (hamstring) are out.

Watford are again without defenders Sebastian Prodl (thigh) and Younes Kaboul (hamstring) but there are no fresh injury problems.

Midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah and defender Craig Cathcart both continue to recover from knee problems, along with forwards Isaac Success and Mauro Zarate.

Last season: Chelsea 4 Watford 3, Watford 1 Chelsea 2

Last five league matches: Chelsea W D W L L; Watford W L W D W

Top scorers (all competitions): Alvaro Morata (Chelsea) 7; Richarlison (Watford) 6