Watford vs Chelsea: The One With the Super Subs

Phwoar 

Chelsea have only gone and won another match this season. That’s two whole wins from two whole attempts. And while it doesn’t seem like much, it took them the first EIGHT games last season to get those two wins. So I will revel in this minor achievement. 

Revel!

But if truth be told, despite an excellent performance against West Ham on Monday my optimistic approach took a bit of a beating last season and in no way was I confident that Chelsea would manage a point let alone all three. The negativity was real.

The opening 45 minutes were like just about every single match last season a bit flat and Watford had the better chances. Or chances, if you will. On balance of play, Chelsea were fortunate to go into halftime at 0-0. It was all I really clung to in that moment. It was a clean sheet over 45 whole minutes. And there was the possibility that Don Antonio would make sweeping changes to his side to start the second half.

He. Did. Not.

Within 10 minutes of the second half Etienne Capoue put the home side ahead. Mostly because he was left completely on his lonesome. Sure he hadn’t scored a singe league goal in the last two seasons, but he did manage to sneak one past one of the best defences in the league just a week ago. So maybe someone could have taken time out from daydreaming about Carlo Cudicini* for just a moment and maybe marked him in their own 18 yard box.

It took another 15 minutes of this madness before the Don saw fit to bring on a sub. Positive. But then the sub was Victor Moses. Not so positive. Before anyone’s heads explode - he puts in a lot of effort and impresses some people in the very meaningful pre-season friendlies. But his enthusiasm overwhelms his ability to read the game, putting his individual game ahead of what’s best for the team.

The next two subs were the ones that changed the game and should hopefully give Conte something to think about when he’s naming his starting XI next week. Both Nemanja Matic and Oscar have struggled with consistency. And not naming names, but not sure their attitudes on or off the pitch are really all that deserving of a regular starting role.

Someone that has earned that spot was the man given just 12 minutes to change the game, and change the game he did. The divisive figure that is Cesc Fàbregas turned Saturday’s game on its head. Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were having a decent match but looked so much brighter with Fàbregas behind them. Their runs were more energetic and had a lot more purpose. 

Plus - that ball for Costa’s goal …. oh my days.

When Chelsea signed Michy Batshuayi I was cautiously optimistic. At the very least, he comes across as a likeable figure and his social media game is on point. But social doesn’t win football matches. Goals do and he definitely has those in his locker. If truth be told that rocket off the woodwork impressed me even more than his goal. I suspect we might just be seeing a few more of those this season (goals that is. Not just bullets ricocheting off the crossbar).

Roll on second round of the league cup! 

jb x

* just me?!