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A double from Eden Hazard stung the Hornets as Chelsea claimed all three points against Watford at Vicarage Road by 1-2. The talisman scored on the brink of half-time, but Roberto Pereyra canceled their lead just a couple of minutes later with a sumptuous finish from a well-worked corner.
Hazard put the Blues' noses in front once again through a penalty, scoring his 100th and 101st goal for the club in all competitions.
The win sees Sarri's men go on 40 points and 4th on the table, two clear of 5th placed Arsenal, who shared the spoils with Brighton and Hove Albion earlier. Chelsea also extended their unbeaten run on Boxing Day to 14 matches.
They were far from their best, but nevertheless, the visitors managed to grind out a result; something they haven't been able to do consistently of late.
On that note, lets take a look at the major talking points from Chelsea's 1-2 victory over Watford.
#1 Sarri names a shocking unchanged XI
In the busy festive footballing period, with almost no time to breathe or sit down, every manager rotates his players, tinkers with formations, and looks to bring out the best results each week.
Sarri's team lost their first home game under his stewardship when Leicester visited Stamford Bridge. With Boxing Day just three days later, a lot of us expected at least three or four changes from the Italian mastermind.
Sarri went for the same back four, despite recent struggles by Marcos Alonso. Moreover, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta need some rest.
In midfield, Mateo Kovacic started once again, leaving Ross Barkley on the bench. We cannot expect Jorginho or Kante to not start, but either of them should have been taken off after the hour mark or so.
The front three of Pedro, Willian, and Hazard led the line. Not all of them looked sharp, and Willian especially did not enjoy the best of outings. He hasn't in the previous two or three matches.
Owing to the lack of rest, Pedro sustained a muscle injury.
#2 Chelsea start positively, Watford look to settle
The Blues set themselves up quickly, passed it around with purpose and started very brightly. On the back of a string of successful passes, Pedro had the first effort on goal. He lashed on to one from 22 yards but saw his shot go just wide.
Seven minutes on from there, Willian rattled the cross bar. The winger was played through on goal, and rightfully he went around Ben Foster, but from an acute angle he couldn't do more than that.
Meanwhile, Christian Kabasele was stretchered off.
Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra were looking bright in the wider positions. The explosive Ken Sema took charge of the advanced areas and smashed one just over Kepa's goal from 16 yards out. Until the goal, it was Watford's best chance.
Just before the 45th minute mark, Pedro seemed to have pulled a muscle. He was replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi.
#3 Eden Hazard scores, Roberto Pereyra restores parity
Just when it looked like both teams were pleased to go goalless into the break, Eden Hazard sprung into life and gave Chelsea the lead. All of a sudden, with four additional minutes, the match opened up.
Through a mistake made by the hosts, Chelsea capitalised and Hazard was played through by Kovacic. The star man drove forward with pace, comfortably beat Foster, and with all the composure in the world, slotted the ball into the back of the net. Not for the first time, Hazard illustrated his world-class finishing abilities.
Just over 100 seconds later, Watford won a corner to which Chelsea defended with 10 men in the box. In that process, Pereyra was left unmarked on the edge of the box, and Holebas found him with the perfect cross.
With a number of blue shirts in the box, it still had to be placed to perfection. Pereyra did just that.
#4 Hazard converts penalty, Chelsea hold on to claim the victory
Chelsea's effective pressing in the middle third of the pitch was a highlight and a positive takeaway for Sarri and co. The same led to both their goals as well.
For the second, Jorginho won the ball and instantly chipped it over to Hazard, who was alive to it. The little magician took it forward and tried to beat an onrushing Ben Foster, but the veteran goalkeeper bundled him over, leaving Martin Atkinson with no choice but to point to the spot.
The 27-year-old stepped up and sent Foster the wrong way. His goal proved to be the winner. Post that goal, the Blues cleverly relied on their counter-attacking prowess. They sat back and brought on Emerson who provided cover even when his team were forward for corners.
Moments later, Willian fizzed a shot past the frame of goal. In the dying stages, Jorginho fancied himself from 25 yards as well. Just before the final whistle, Hazard tested the keeper but missed out on a second hat-trick.
Watford meanwhile didn't look like finding a second equaliser.
#5 Lots to ponder for Maurizio Sarri
First and foremost, Eden Hazard cannot put in similar shifts every week repeatedly. You cannot expect him to score goals, create goals, and get three points for you, all at once. Yes, the Belgian does have it in him, but given the competition, pace, and strenuous nature of the league this season, it must be a collective effort as far as Chelsea are concerned.
Willian's sporadic performances have left Sarri in a spot of bother. Whether it is due to the lack of rest or simply because the Brazilian isn't responding to the demands remains a question. With Pedro (second-highest goal-scorer this season) injured, the entire burden falls on the shoulders of Hazard.
Secondly, Sarri's reluctance to change the playing XI and rest the first team stars might prove to be a problem, as some of the stars looked worn out to an extent against Watford.
Options such as Gary Cahill, Emerson, and Davide Zappacosta at the back are more than reliable. The left back especially, has consistently been impressing in European and cup fixtures. When Alonso is so exposed at the back, why not play Emerson?
If Hazard or Willian need rest, why not play Giroud for 60 odd minutes?
