Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said his side showed they have the “attitude to fight” as they scored two late goals to come from behind and claim a dramatic victory against Watford at Stamford Bridge.
Cesar Azpilicueta headed the Blues 3-2 in front in the 87th minute before Michy Batshuayi sealed the victory in stoppage time, ending a three-game winless run despite an unconvincing performance from the champions.
It was Batshuayi’s second of the game after he had headed an equaliser midway through the second half, his side having fallen behind to Watford goals either side of half-time to hint at a third consecutive Premier League defeat for the Blues.
Pedro put the home side ahead in the 12th minute with a sensational 25-yard strike that curled away from Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and in off the right-hand post.
But the Blues were shaky defensively throughout and Marco Silva’s Hornets scored twice through Abdoulaye Doucoure and Roberto Pereyra to put them on course for a famous victory.
It could have been even worse for Antonio Conte’s side as Brazilian Richarlison missed two glorious chances for Watford – one from six yards out, the other a close-range header – either side of Pereyra’s goal.
But Batshuayi’s equaliser and the third for Azpilicueta saw Conte throw himself into the home crowd as his side completed a turnaround that the Belgium striker then capped deep into injury time.
Chelsea have not lost three consecutive games since 2015 under Jose Mourinho, a month before he was sacked.
Asked how he felt when his side were 2-1 behind, Conte said: “I feel a lot of pressure but not this pressure if the club decide to sack me. I will never be worried [about getting the sack], never. I don’t worry about this pressure because this is the job.”
