Chelsea FC Draw With Watford 2-2 After Oscar Slips Up

Chelsea FC dropped yet more Premier League points as Watford held the Blues to a dramatic 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Fans of Chelsea Football Club have a right to be a bit disappointed on this Boxing Day, after their club had a chance to earn successive league victories, but failed to get the crucial goal when it counted. Oscar will feel the heat until Monday, as his missed penalty denied the Blues to take a 3-2 lead in what was overall a decent game.

The match started out slowly enough, with nearly 18 minutes having gone by before the first real chance of the game. Chelsea had failed to clear a corner properly and Odion Ighalo caught the defense napping, but he snatched at his chance off the volley. Replays showed the forward was indeed onside and had plenty of time to compose himself.

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In the 32nd minute Chelsea would open the scoring with a pleasant surprise for the home fans as Diego Costa netted his fourth league goal of the season. John Terry headed down a corner into the path of Costa, who took it off the bounce and blasted it into the back of the net.

Just as it seemed as though Chelsea would head into halftime looking good money for their lead, Watford were handed a lifeline. Nemanja Matic inexplicably raised his arm to defend a corner, forcing the official to penalise him and award a penalty. Troy Deeney stepped up to take the spot kick and finished well, making it 1-1 at the break.

RELATED: Diego Costa Suspended For Manchester United Clash

The visitors would take that momentum into the beginning of the second half, threatening the Chelsea goal. Etienne Capoue was denied twice in the 55th minute, but Ighalo wouldn’t be just one minute later.

The forward had been getting himself into great positions all game and finally had a goal to show for it, albeit thanks to a big deflection off Gary Cahill.

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Unlike other games this season, the hosts actually responded well to going down and clawed one back in the 65th minute. Costa secured a brace after latching onto a beautiful pass from Willian. The Brazilian was able to pick out the striker splitting the central defenders and the forward took the pass well. He placed the ball inside the far post, leveling the score.

There would be late drama as the Blues pushed for the win. With ten minutes to go, substitute Eden Hazard earned the Blues a penalty after being fouled inside the box. Feeling the immediate effects of the rough challenge, he was unable to take the spot kick, which Oscar stepped up to kick.

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With all eyes on him, Oscar promptly skied the ball over the crossbar, keeping the score at 2-2. In truth, it was a poor attempt made worse by a slip and he never looked likely to score from the run up.

Costa then put in an unnecessary and late challenge as the clock wound down, picking up a booking. This means that he will be suspended for the club’s next match.

The missed penalty ended up being the decisive moment of the game, as the score would remain 2-2 after the final whistle had gone. A good game for the neutrals, but another frustrating result for the Chelsea faithful. The Blues won’t have much time to rest with Manchester United waiting on Monday.