Chelsea moved to third in the Premier League after comfortably beating Watford 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues moved above Tottenham Hotspur in the top four race and will play Champions League football next season following Arsenal and Manchester United’s draws to Brighton and Huddersfield respectively.
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Chelsea secured a 3-0 win over Watford
And with one Premier League game left and a potential Europa League final, Maurizio Sarri can reflect on this season in a positive mood despite the numerous setbacks.
Watford handed a first league start since December to former Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, with Etienne Capoue nursing a groin injury. Andre Gray was replaced by Troy Deeney – and the visitors initially defended impressively.
It did little to hinder their cause that N’Golo Kante, normally so energetic, had to be substituted in only the ninth minute, replaced by Loftus-Cheek, because of a suspected hamstring injury. But by then the visitors had also already threatened twice on goal.
Gerard Deulofeu had struck wide of the right post after turning away from Jorginho on the edge of the penalty area and Deeney then forced the finest of saves from the diving, stretching Kepa Arrizabalaga when he headed towards the top, left corner from Jose Holebas’ cross.
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David Luiz scores at Stamford Bridge
Unconvincing efforts from Jorginho and Higuain, and an optimistic, unsuccessful appeal for a penalty, represented the closest Chelsea came during the remainder of the first half.
It was after a short corner routine in the 48th minute that Loftus-Cheek headed the hosts into the lead. Watford’s Ben Foster was largely left stranded by Hazard’s cross from the right, and the midfielder was left with little more than to casually nod in towards the back post.
Another header followed just three minutes later. Again Hazard was the provider from the right, this time crossing directly from another corner, and with similar ease to Loftus-Cheek, Luiz ran onto his delivery to powerfully head past Foster and into the back of the net.
In the 75th minute Higuain made it 3-0, clipping a fine finish over Foster from close range after receiving possession back from Pedro with a fine through-ball.
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Watford’s Isaac Success later had an effort ruled out when it bounced in off offside fellow substitute Gray – but it is Chelsea’s grip on third place, after a period in which Sarri has been heavily criticised and the top four has so often appeared beyond their reach, that will prove most significant.
Chelsea host Watford as they look to secure a top four Premier League finish with Man United and Arsenal looking for the Blues to slip up in a bid to play Champions League next season.
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