WATFORD 0-0 CHELSEA
Guus Hiddink felt his side deserved more after a goalless draw against Watford stretched their unbeaten run to ten games.
The Blues were unfortunate not to take three points at Vicarage Road as they squandered a string of chances and currently sit 13th in the Premier League table on 29 points, four points behind Watford.
Hornet’s keeper Heurelho Gomes was imperious between the sticks as he put in a match of the match performance denying Diego Costa’s first-half attempt and then again in the dying embers of the game.
“I’m disappointed because we didn’t get the deserved three points,” said Hiddink.
“We dominated and controlled more in the second half than in the first, when they had some periods of danger with their set-pieces.”
The Dutch coach also paid tribute Brazilian keeper Gomes in his assessment, and added he thought his side has improved its organisation since the sides last met on Boxing Day at Stamford Bridge when they drew 2-2.
Last night’s encounter also saw the best and worst of controversial striker Diego Costa, who was booked moments before the interval when he tangled with Carlos Paredes.
The Spain striker also clashed with Hornets defender Sebastian Prodl and Hiddink has since accused the central London outfit of trying to provoke the much maligned striker into getting sent off.
John Terry played his first game since announcing he will leave Chelsea at the end of the season, and dealt well with Hornet’s frontman Odion Ighalo, who was looking to add to his tally of 14 league goals.
Reports have since emerged the door is not closed on the possibility of Terry remaining with the club, as Hiddink said he was surprised by the central defender’s comments in the media about leaving.
Eden Hazard came off the bench for a second straight league game, the striker, who is still recovering from a hip injury sustained in Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth round victory against MK Dons, saw his late effort bravely stopped by Gomes.
Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores was running out of superlatives to describe his goalkeeper’s performance but was also quick to praise the efforts of his whole team.
He said: “Gomes is amazing, but it is unfair to leave anyone out.
“Everyone must be spoken about tonight because they played as a team, as a collective, as a block.”
The former Valencia full-back also admitted that despite some tired legs he was pleased his side rallied to claim a point against the reigning Premier League champions.
Chelsea now have two consecutive home fixtures in the Premier League, first hosting Louis van Gaal’s under pressure Manchester United before Newcastle United visit Stamford Bridge.
The Blues drew 0-0 with the Red Devils at Old Trafford in December, in their first game without Jose Mourinho as manager after he was sacked.
In the corresponding fixture last year, Eden Hazard grabbed the winner in a 1-0 home victory for the Blues.
Image courtesy of Chelsea FC, via YouTube, with thanks
