Eden Hazard's brilliant strike eight minutes from time briefly handed the visitors hope, but they remain fourth, just a point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, with Conte's chances of remaining in charge for the rest of the season under the spotlight. "I work every day and I give 120 percent, if this is enough, okay, otherwise the club can take a decision, but I'm not worried," said Conte. "(There is) great disappointment for sure because I think our performance was very poor. We started very badly and without personality. We played with fear."Full-time: Watford 4-1 Chelsea.#WATCHE pic.twitter.com/lmwNoWb8cL
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 5, 2018
Conte insisted ahead of the match he intended to see out his contract to 2019 despite a series of complaints this season over his lack of influence over the club's recruitment strategy. The Italian once again named a side without a recognised striker with new signing Olivier Giroud only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench in the absence of Alvaro Morata due to a back injury. A makeshift front three of Hazard, Pedro Rodriguez and Willian struggled to get involved as Watford dominated on new boss Javi Gracia's home bow.Conte claims he isn't worried about his Chelsea job, but his body language tells a different story... pic.twitter.com/qI4PRtUSSv
— Goal (@goal) February 6, 2018
"It is an unforgettable night," said Gracia. "A great victory and a great match. I am very proud of my players today. "The match changed after the sending-off, but I am happy for all the match not only after the sending-off. "I don't think we have only a good result because Chelsea played with 10 players."Antonio Conte is throughly perplexed by the idea that his players could get him sacked at Chelsea pic.twitter.com/f6pg5oz9qK
— Goal (@goal) February 6, 2018
Watford had a series of chances to go in front as Chelsea started slowly with Abdoulaye Doucoure, Deulofeu and Deeney failing to hit the target. Having been let off by Watford's wayward finishing, Chelsea weren't handed such a reprieve from referee Mike Dean as Bakayoko's miserable first season in England continued. The French midfielder was dismissed for two bookable offences within five minutes to leave the visitors a man light for the final hour.?️ | “An unforgettable night”
Head Coach, Javi Gracia reacts to his #watfordfc sides fantastic performance against @ChelseaFC this evening! See the full interview, plus reaction, report and stats in Match Review ⤵️https://t.co/Zg5UUPnMZk pic.twitter.com/mqt4h4hUl9— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) February 6, 2018
Conte immediately responded by replacing Willian with Cesc Fabregas. However, that did little to stem Watford's tide and they went in front when Thibaut Courtois brought down Deulofeu as he rounded the goalkeeper. Deeney made amends for his previous miss by burying the resulting penalty into the bottom corner.'Welcome to A.C. Milan'
Social media reacts to Antonio Conte after Chelsea's defeat by Watford. pic.twitter.com/7QszhgjiRN— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 5, 2018
Watford continued to pose the greater threat after the break as Deulofeu and Richarlison sent shots inches wide of Courtois' left-hand post. The Belgian keeper then had to be at his best to turn Doucoure's drive behind. Giroud was finally handed his debut for the final 25 minutes in place of Pedro, who hobbled off with a nasty looking injury that could make him a doubt to face old side Barcelona in Chelsea's Champions League last 16 tie in two weeks' time.FT | #watfordfc 4-1 Chelsea
A thoroughly deserved win in Javi Gracia's first home game! Deeney (pen), Janmaat, Deulofeu & Pereyra with the goals! COME ON!!!! Listen live ⤵️https://t.co/MVTxcdM2TV pic.twitter.com/ISHtMd8jnq— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) February 5, 2018
An individual moment of magic from Hazard gave Chelsea hope when he curled into the far corner from 25 yards for his 13th goal of the season. Parity only lasted two minutes, though, as Janmaat played a brilliant one-two with Pereyra before slotting past a helpless Courtois to spark wild scenes of celebration at Vicarage Road. Deulofeu sealed the points two minutes later when he fired across Courtois with Chelsea's tired defence pulled apart. And Pereyra rubbed salt in the champions' wounds with a brilliant finish from a narrow angle in stoppage time.RESULTS:Watford 4 (Deeney 42-pen, Janmaat 84, Deulofeu 88, Pereyra 90+1) Chelsea 1 (Hazard 82)Premier League table after Monday's match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):? | Javi Gracia speaks of his pride at tonight's performance in his first #watfordfc home game. pic.twitter.com/Q7iKfij2Gv
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) February 5, 2018
Man City 26 22 3 1 74 19 69Man Utd 26 17 5 4 51 18 56Liverpool 26 14 9 3 59 31 51Chelsea 26 15 5 6 46 23 50Tottenham 26 14 7 5 51 24 49Arsenal 26 13 6 7 51 35 45Burnley 26 9 9 8 21 23 36Leicester 26 9 8 9 38 35 35Bournemouth 26 8 7 11 30 37 31Everton 26 8 7 11 29 45 31Watford 26 8 6 12 37 45 30West Ham 26 6 9 11 32 46 27Brighton 26 6 9 11 21 35 27Crystal Palace 26 6 9 11 24 39 27Southampton 26 5 11 10 28 38 26Newcastle 26 6 7 13 24 36 25Swansea 26 6 6 14 19 37 24Stoke 26 6 6 14 26 52 24Huddersfield 26 6 6 14 19 46 24West Brom 26 3 11 12 21 37 20