Chelsea – Watford: Lampard’s In-Game Adjustments Deliver The Win (3-0)

Lampard’s continuous tinkering with his team’s shape helped convert Chelsea’s control into goals. A dominant display asserted the hosts back into the Premier League’s top four, whilst Watford’s fears of relegation continue to worsen.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Frank Lampard will be given time at Chelsea, but Champions League football has always been of great importance to the Roman Abramovich empire. The recent additions of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner confirm their expectations, but what once was a firm spot inside the top four was put in danger before football’s lockdown due to inconsistent performances.

Chelsea may have returned defeating Aston Villa and Manchester City, but a deserved 3-2 defeat at West Ham in midweek has piled on more pressure. Due to Manchester United comfortably dispatching Bournemouth earlier on Saturday, Chelsea went into this game in fifth position. 

Watford were also in desperate need of points added to their dismal tally. Southampton’s elite pressing blew the Hornets away, and added to their poor record of just one win in their last eleven competitive matches.

Manager Nigel Pearson has offered a more balanced approach than his two predecessors, in just this season alone. However, Watford miss the offensive blend to cause consistent danger, despite a crop of energetic and exciting attackers being recruited to the team. Though Norwich City and West Ham are left in the calendar, even if Watford win these two matches, they will still be dragged into the . . .