Chelsea picked up three points late on for the second time in as many games this season, as the Blues secured a 2-1 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.
The first half ended scoreless, with Chelsea controlling most of the play.
Cesc Fabregas was clearly needed from the start of second half, as Watford’s man-marking on Eden Hazard, Oscar and Pedro limited their impact but freed up space in the centre of the park.
Conte opted to make zero changes and paid the price when Watford grabbed the first goal in the 55th minute. On a cross playing into the box, Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill lost track of Etienne Capoue, who fired a close-range rocket past Thibaut Courtois at the near post.
Conte waited until the 71st, 73rd and 78th minutes before tailoring his team, bringing on Victor Moses for Pedro, Michy Batshuayi for Oscar and, finally, Cesc Fabregas for Nemanja Matic.
The play improved immediately, with Fabregas picking up a ‘hockey assist’ on Chelsea’s tying goal – scored by Batshuayi in the 80th minute.
Seven minutes later, Fabregas played a sublime pass from Chelsea’s defensive half to Costa in behind the Watford back four. Costa was able to sneak his shot between the legs of Heurelho Gomes, giving Chelsea the match-winner for the second time in as many games to open the season.
Just like Monday, we learnt a lot about Conte’s Chelsea side. Here goes…
