Premier League
WatfordWatford0ChelseaChelsea0

Watford 0-0 Chelsea

By Gary RoseBBC Sport
Diego Costa
Chelsea have not lost in the league since 14 December

Chelsea's unbeaten run under Guus Hiddink extended to seven Premier League games with a draw at Watford.

Diego Costa's first-half shot was deflected wide for the visitors, while Etienne Capoue's fierce drive was kept out by Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Heurelho Gomes's superb one-handed save from Costa's header denied Chelsea victory late on.

The draw moves Chelsea up to 13th on 29 points, while Watford are four points and four places better off.

Re-live Watford's draw with Chelsea

Gomes keeps the Blues away

Watford started their first season back in the Premier League in blistering fashion, with eight wins before Christmas propelling them into the top 10.

However, that form took a turn for the worse as they lost four successive league games from 28 December.

Hornets boss Quique Sanchez Flores brought in Costel Pantilimon from Sunderland during the January transfer window and if his intention was to challenge his first-choice keeper to raise his game, it appears to have worked.

Gomes put in a man-of-the-match performance against Chelsea, reacting swiftly to keep out Branislav Ivanovic from close range and Costa in the final few minutes.

"I believe the goalkeeper has to do things like that [make key saves]," Gomes told BBC Sport.

"We got a point against a very good side and I was glad to make a difference."

Costa the centre of attention

Diego Costa
Diego Costa has been given 15 yellow cards in the Premier League since he joined Chelsea in the summer of 2014 - four more than any other striker in this period

This game saw both the best and worst of Costa.

The striker, particularly in the first half, was at it his bustling best - a particular highlight was the moment he brought down and controlled Cesc Fabregas' long ball, and turned Watford defenders inside out before shooting just wide.

However, he also struggled to control his temper after he was pulled up by referee Mike Dean for shoving over Sebastian Prodl in the Watford box. He got involved in an angry exchange with Juan Carlos Paredes that led to both players been booked.

The start of the farewell tour?

John Terry
John Terry has been at Chelsea since he was 14

Chelsea defender John Terry caused a bit of a stir on Sunday when he announced that he will leave the club this summer, saying he had not been offered a new deal.

Hiddink suggested on Tuesday that the Stamford Bridge door was not closed, however, and fans who travelled to Vicarage Road showed their support for their long-serving captain.

There was a loud cheer when his name was read out before kick-off, while some fans held up banners with the words "Captain, Leader, Legend" on them.

Generally, the 35-year-old was solid against Watford, although a misjudged jump in his attempt to clear a cross for Odion Ighalo hinted at why his time at the heart of the Chelsea defence could be coming to an end.

Man of the match - Heurelho Gomes

Heurelho Gomes kept his first clean sheet since 20 December
Watford keeper Gomes kept his first clean sheet since 20 December

What they said

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores: "We're happy. We've shown we can get points against the big teams - you see it against Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.

'Reasons to be happy' for Flores

"The competitive level of the team is very high."

Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink on incident involving Costa and Watford's Paredes: "It was clear and in front of our eyes. Costa was punched in the back and then he stumbled and brought his hands to his head. I was trying to protect my player because he was provoked.

Hiddink 'not happy' with Watford draw

"This league is physical. When you see our central defenders and our opponent's central defenders. He [Costa] likes to go physical but he must do within the rules. Some times players get physical and he has to get used to that."

On Terry: "First we'll see him often this season. What the future brings is up to him and the club."

The stats you need to know

  • Chelsea have won seven and lost none of the past 10 matches against Watford in all competitions (D3).
  • Watford have won just one of their eight Premier League games in the month of February (W1 D3 L4).
  • Watford kept their seventh clean sheet at home in the Premier League this season - only Manchester United (8) have more at home in 2015-16.
  • Chelsea did not manage a shot on target until the 60th minute.
  • Watford attempted three shots on target, all between the 27th and 28th minute.
  • Watford have conceded a league-low seven goals in the first half of Premier League games this season.

What next?

Watford travel to Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday while Chelsea host Manchester United on the following day.

Line-ups

Watford

Formation 4-3-1-2

  • 1Gomes
  • 14ParedesBooked at 45minsSubstituted forNyomat 68'minutes
  • 5PrödlBooked at 19mins
  • 15Cathcart
  • 25Holebas
  • 29CapoueSubstituted forSuárezat 87'minutes
  • 23Watson
  • 7JuradoSubstituted forAbdiat 64'minutes
  • 8Behrami
  • 9Deeney
  • 24Ighalo

Substitutes

  • 2Nyom
  • 4Suárez
  • 11N Amrabat
  • 17Guédioura
  • 18Pantilimon
  • 21Anya
  • 22Abdi

Chelsea

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 13Courtois
  • 2Ivanovic
  • 5Zouma
  • 26Terry
  • 28Azpilicueta
  • 12Mikel
  • 21MaticSubstituted forE Hazardat 73'minutes
  • 22Willian
  • 4Fàbregas
  • 8Oscar
  • 19Diego CostaBooked at 45mins

Substitutes

  • 1Begovic
  • 6Baba
  • 10E Hazard
  • 14Traore
  • 16Kenedy
  • 24Cahill
  • 36Loftus-Cheek
Referee:
Mike Dean
Attendance:
20,910

Match Stats

Home TeamWatfordAway TeamChelsea
Possession
Home45%
Away55%
Shots
Home12
Away12
Shots on Target
Home3
Away4
Corners
Home7
Away7
Fouls
Home10
Away13

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Watford 0, Chelsea 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Watford 0, Chelsea 0.

  3. Post update

    Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  4. Post update

    Foul by José Holebas (Watford).

  5. Post update

    Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Troy Deeney (Watford).

  7. Post update

    Corner, Watford. Conceded by Cesc Fàbregas.

  8. Post update

    Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Heurelho Gomes.

  9. Post update

    Attempt saved. Diego Costa (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Willian with a cross.

  10. Post update

    Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Ben Watson.

  11. Post update

    Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Odion Ighalo (Watford).

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Watford. Mario Suárez replaces Etienne Capoue.

  14. Post update

    Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Craig Cathcart.

  15. Post update

    Attempt missed. Diego Costa (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Eden Hazard with a cross.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea).

  17. Post update

    Almen Abdi (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  18. Post update

    Foul by Oscar (Chelsea).

  19. Post update

    Nyom (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  20. Post update

    Offside, Chelsea. Oscar tries a through ball, but John Terry is caught offside.

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Leicester24148244261850
2Man City24145546232347
3Tottenham24129344192545
4Arsenal24136537221545
5Man Utd24117631211040
6West Ham24109538281039
7Southampton249783224834
8Liverpool249783034-434
9Watford249692726133
10Stoke249692428-433
11Everton2471164334932
12Crystal Palace2494112529-431
13Chelsea247893234-229
14West Brom247892331-829
15Bournemouth2477102939-1028
16Swansea2468102332-926
17Norwich2465132846-1823
18Newcastle2456132544-1921
19Sunderland2454152847-1919
20Aston Villa2427151840-2213
View full Premier League table

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