Watford vs Chelsea: The One with Costa's Clothing Capers

Welcome to the gun show

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I’m not saying that Hiddink’s transitioning to Susan Boyle from questionable decision making to baffling persistence - but is there any reason he expects the partnership of Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel to work?

Their natural positioning sense means that they continue to be in the same place at the same time and not in a romantic serendiptious type way. They're either leaving  a gaping hole in the midfield or a bit of a mess for someone else to clean up. While the threat of Watford’s attack is real, they had lost 4 of their last 5 ahead of Wednesday match, so Chelsea probably didn’t need defensive midfield twinsies.

While I cannot confirm, nor deny, there was a rant and a half followed by a series of expletives from myself at the exclusion of the newly fit phwoar Eden Hazard from the starting XI. I will concede that it was probably the correct decision as he was rushed back for the reverse fixture which only exacerbated the problem. Those little legs need to be ready for a Manchester United side who’ve decided to find a patch of form just ahead of our game - very generous of them. And it would be nice to go into a game playing for a win rather than just trying not to lose.

Long sleeves tszuj'd obvs. No gloves

It’s no surprise that breaking up Chelsea's M&Ms and introducing the little Belgian was exactly what the game needed. Maybe if the change had been made at half time, or even at the one hour mark it would have been enough for Chelsea to win actual consecutive league games — for the first time since ... May.

Despite his ‘heroics’ against League One bound MK Dons over the weekend, Oscar is no replacement for Hazard. Or should never be on the left of anything. Ever. For the most part, he looked more surprised to be there than I was. Kenedy was easily the better option to start in that position. And if it wasn’t quite working out - Hiddink really could have been really kooky and made an elusive third substitution.

After John Terry’s announcement that he won't get enough money a new contract from Chelsea for next season, he was in full point to prove mode. Which means he was never going to let Odion Ighalo get me fantasy football points a sniff of goal. And let's be honest, with Courtois' form this season, we need the extra help. Terry was in full pomp as Watford did everything they could in the first half to take the lead. A note to Loic Remy here -- this is what putting yourself in the shop window looks like.

But despite Terry's best efforts, he was outshone by Diego Costa's escapades. Sure, he didn't score, but that was merely circumstantial. Heurelho Gomes was annoyingly on top form and it would have taken something special to get past him. Costa has taken his combativeness to the next level -- to his own kit.

Long sleeves. Black gloves

While looking like a hot mess does add to his aura, he only makes life difficult for himself. Beyond the oversized shorts and varying lengths of socks, Costa has engaged in an on again-off again relationship with his gloves. With a nip in the air, he starts most games with them and it's only a matter of time before they flee from his furious fingers. While he started under the floodlights of Vicarage Road with both gloves and long sleeves - it didn't stay that way for 90 minutes as he wrestled with his kit to strike the right balance.

Obviously the gloves disappeared within the opening 15 minutes. But he'd definitely opted for the wrong shirt. He tussled more with them than he did with Paredes. That shirt may never see the light of day again. The second half began with shortsleeves - and fresh gloves. No confirmation from the manager if those gloves made it to the final whistle.

jb xx