CHELSEA got back to winning ways in the Premier League as Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech netted in victory over Watford.
The game was put on hold in the 11th minute after a supporter collapsed in the crowd, requiring CPR.
Medical staff from both teams rushed onto the terraces to help, with reports now suggesting the individual is stabilised and on their way to hospital.
The players returned to the pitch and the match got back underway, with Emmanuel Dennis’ goal not enough to snatch a point for the Hornets.
- Final score: Watford 1-2 Chelsea
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THAT’S ALL FROM WATFORD!
Chelsea beat Watford 2-1 in an immensely eventful and dramatic encounter at Vicarage Road.
The match was halted after 13 minutes when a fan suffered a cardiac arrest in the Graham Taylor Stand.
The game was paused for half an hour until the supporter was stabilised and taken to a nearby hospital.
Chelsea opened the scoring on 29 minutes when a delicious ball by Antonio Rudiger found Marcos Alonso down the left flank and the full-back passed to Kai Havertz in the penalty area.
That is where the Germany international switched to Mason Mount to his right and the forward beat Daniel Bachmann with a clinical finish.
But Watford wouldn’t be denied as Moussa Sissoko led the counter-attack and passed to Emmanuel Dennis to his right.
Dennis beat Edouard Mendy with a composed finish and made it 1-1 just two minutes before half-time.
But Chelsea ended up being the winners thanks to a brilliant team goal on 72 minutes when Rudiger crossed from midfield to Alonso down the left flank and the full-back nodded it to Mount on his left.
The England international delivered a wonderful low ball to the penalty area where Hakim Ziyech picked it up and smashed the ball behind Bachmann’s net.
Both teams suffered injury blows as Watford lost Adam Masina in the first half and Trevoh Chalobah limped off in the second half.
That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a lovely night!
GETTY IMAGES TUCHEL REACTS
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel isn’t satisfied with the performance as he described the result as a “lucky win” and is worried about Trevoh Chalobah’s injury.
Tuchel told Amazon: “That’s not us. We were absolutely not ready today for this match. I missed maybe to find the right approach to make my team ready. We had the break due to very sad circumstances – hopefully the person is better.
“Even this break after the first 11 minutes did not change our approach. We did not cope with the pressure, with the first ball, second ball.
“We had a lot of changes but too many faults. It did not get better. The only thing we could do was hang in there and focus on the easy things. It was a lucky win.
“I see this totally as an exception from the rule. I will not insist too long on this match because it’s so unusual for us to play like this.
“The next game on Saturday, the most worried I am is about the injury for Trevoh Chalobah. The doctor was on the pitch 20 times today it felt like. It’s a big loss from Trev. I’m a bit worried.
” [Kai] Havertz was very strong today. I felt he was the one player reaching his level today. We missed some players. We had some players overloaded. We stole three points. We don’t have to talk around it. For the first time it feels like a lucky win”
GETTY IMAGES MOUNT REACTS
Mason Mount scored Chelsea’s first goal of the match but admits this wasn’t the Blues’ best night.
Mount told Amazon: “It wasn’t out best tonight, by far. We know that.
“These are the games you grind out to get three points at the end. It was a tough one, a tough place to come. We’re buzzing to get the three points.
“He [Thomas Tuchel] said firm words to us and it got us going. As leaders in the group, we know it wasn’t good enough, didn’t keep the ball, no football in their half”
GETTY IMAGES
THREE’S A CHARM
Chelsea made history tonight with their 2-1 victory against Watford.
The Blues defeated the Hornets at Vicarage Road for the third time in a row for the first time ever.
This was also the west Londoners’ fifth consecutive victory over Claudio Ranieri’s men across all competitions.
Chelsea have won a total of 15 out of 19 matches against Watford, of which they have only lost once in the process
GETTY IMAGES UPDATED TABLE
Chelsea remain top of the Premier League table with one point separating them from second-placed Manchester City.
Liverpool are third with another point keeping them away from the high-flying Blues.
Watford are still 17th with three points away from the relegation zone.
More below:
STATS
Watford dominated 50.3 per cent of possession thanks to an impressive performance in the first half.
The Hornets registered a total of 13 shots, six of which were on target.
Chelsea, on the other hand, recorded eight shots, half of which were on target.
This was quite a physical encounter with seven yellow cards being shown, four of which were for Watford players
FT: WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
Chelsea defeated Watford in an immensely eventful and dramatic encounter at Vicarage Road.
The match was halted after 13 minutes when a fan suffered a cardiac arrest in the Graham Taylor Stand.
The game was paused for half an hour until the supporter was stabilised and taken to a nearby hospital.
Chelsea opened the scoring on 29 minutes when a delicious ball by Antonio Rudiger found Marcos Alonso down the left flank and the full-back passed to Kai Havertz in the penalty area.
That is where the Germany international switched to Mason Mount to his right and the forward beat Daniel Bachmann with a clinical finish.
But Watford wouldn’t be denied as Moussa Sissoko led the counter-attack and passed to Emmanuel Dennis to his right.
Dennis beat Edouard Mendy with a composed finish and made it 1-1 just two minutes before half-time.
But Chelsea ended up being the winners thanks to a brilliant team goal on 72 minutes when Rudiger crossed from midfield to Alonso down the left flank and the full-back nodded it to Mount on his left.
The England international delivered a wonderful low ball to the penalty area where Hakim Ziyech picked it up and smashed the ball behind Bachmann’s net
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S FULL-TIME IN WATFORD!!!!!!
WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
90+3 CHANCE
Watford sub Kucka tries an immensely powerful free-kick from distance but Mendy palms it away!
Waht a goal that would have been!
WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
90 We got six more minutes of stoppage time to go.
Both teams are pushing for a late goal – Chelsea want to seal the win and Watford wish to equalise!
WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
88 Here’s how Ziyech scored what could be Chelsea’s winner against Watford!
What an incredible team goal by the visitors!
WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
85 SUBSTITUTION
Watford boss Ranieri introduces Ngakia who replaces Cleverley
WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
84 YELLOW CARD
Watford ace Rose gets booked following a rough tackle on Ziyech, who needs treatment.
Cleverley also sees a yellow card
WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
82 CHANCE!
Chelsea come extremely close to a winner as Havertz delivers an incredible ball from the left that is met by Havertz’s brilliant header.
However, Bachmann does well as he lunges to his left!
WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
80 We are in the final 10 minutes of the match and Chelsea are ahead.
But don’t count Watford out just yet as this has been one of the most dramatic matches to date
WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
78 That was Ziyech’s first Premier League goal of the season.
Chelsea are close to a hard-fought victory from an extremely dramatic encounter
GETTY IMAGES WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
75 Game is paused against after Ziyech sustains a knock to his head.
But thankfully the Chelsea star is well and can continue.
The Morocco international broke the deadlock but Tuchel doesn’t appear comfortable with the lead at all.
He wants one more goal to seal the three points
WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
73 SUBSTITION
Watford manager Ranieri responds immediately to Ziyech’s goal as he replaces Louza with Kucka
WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA
72 What a brilliant team goal from Chelsea!
It all starts with Rudiger again as he crosses from midfield to Alonso down the left flank and the full-back nods it to Mount on his left.
The England international delivers a wonderful low ball to the penalty area where Ziyech picks it up and smashes the ball behind Bachmann’s net!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!
CHELSEA REGAIN THE LEAD WITH ZIYECH!!!!!
WATFORD 1-1 CHELSEA
71 It’s good news as Rose appears to be fine and can continue.
This has been a really physical match from both teams
GETTY IMAGES GETTY IMAGES
WATFORD 1-1 CHELSEA
70 Rose seems hurt after going for a tackle with Pulisic.
Reminding you that the Watford ace came on for the injured Masina in the first half
WATFORD 1-1 CHELSEA
69 SUBSTITUTION
It’s Lukaku time at Vicarage Road!
The star striker comes on to replace captain Azpilicueta
WATFORD 1-1 CHELSEA
68 CHANCE
Chelsea ace Havertz shows some impressive pace as he bursts into Watford’s area and shoots but his effort is deflected and the ball reaches Bachmann’s arms
WATFORD 1-1 CHELSEA
67 CHANCE
Louza tries a long-range shot but sends it to the crowd.
Overconfident effort by the Watford midfielder
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
