Michy Batshuayi double sees Chelsea deny wasteful Watford

Well that brings an end to our live blog from Stamford Bridge. We have live coverage of all the 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League as we closely monitor the Manchester clubs, so join us there for the next offering from the top flight.

Full-time: Chelsea 4-2 Watford

A fine way to kick-off this Premier League weekend. Chelsea grind out the win after substitutes Michy Batshuayi and Willian star in a second half comeback.

Watford led 2-1 and should have extended their lead but a series of missed chances came back to haunt them.

Cesar Azpilicueta was the unlikely hero, alongside Batshuayi's double, to deny the Hornets, who lose at home for the first time. Antonio Conte breathes a huge sigh of relief meanwhile with his job seemingly hanging by a thread.

GOAL! Chelsea 4-2 Watford (Michy Batshuayi)

Perhaps an unfair reflection on the game but Chelsea flex their potency once again as Britos gives the ball away in his own half and the ball bounces to Batshuayi, who slides home.

Five added minutes at Stamford Bridge. Can Chelsea hold on?

GOAL! Chelsea 3-2 Watford (Cesar Azpilicueta)

Chelsea have dominated since drawing level and they have what could be the winner. Willian's stinging cross evades Batshuayi but Azpilicueta comes in at the back post and head beyond Gomes. Late drama at the Bridge.

Chance for Batshuayi as we enter the final 10 minutes. The Belgian receives the ball on the edge of the Watford box, turns on a sixpence and ramps the ball goalwards but it goes just over the top.

Watford have spurned yet another opportunity as Holebas escapes round the back after a free-kick, but his header is straight at Courtois.

GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 Watford (Michy Batshuayi)

Crucial goal for Chelsea and their underfire striker Michy Batshuayi. Azpilicueta crosses and Batshuayi shapes his header across Gomes and finds the top corner.

Fabregas crosses from the left but it is overhit and it runs out of play for a goal-kick. That has summed up Chelsea's display in this second half.

Willian on for Marcos Alonso with a quarter of the game remaining.

The injured Roberto Pereyra is off and Andre Carrillo is on for Watford. Chelsea make a mess of clearing a corner and the crowd are noticeably concerned, displaying their displeasure at a display which has struggled to match the heights of the early goal.

Michy Batshuayi on for Alvaro Morata after an hour. Real trust emplaced in him by Antonio Conte.

And we know what happened next.

It really should be three as Richarlison finds himself unmarked five yards out but he plants his header wide. Another awful miss.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 Watford (Roberto Pereyra)

But the Hornets do have the lead now as they cut Chelsea apart. Richarlison makes amends for his earlier miss but laying the ball on a plate for Pereyra, who slots the ball beyond Courtois. The Blues were blown apart there.

WHAT A MISS! Watford should be ahead as Richarlison gets in behind Alonso but from Femenia's cross somehow slides the ball wide. Unbelievable miss.

Watford almost give Chelsea their lead back straight away as Kabasele almost puts through his own net, but the ball lands on the top of the net.

Back under way at Stamford Bridge. Interesting 45 minutes away.

Half-time: Chelsea 1-1 Watford

A fitting way to end an entertaining half at Stamford Bridge. Goals at either end of the half from Pedro and then Doucoure sees the scores level, with Chelsea have given up a lead once again. Intriguing second half ahead.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Watford (Abdoulaye Doucouré)

What an end to the half for the visitors. A long throw from Holebas isn't dealt with and Doucoure gets his feet sorted out to batter the ball past Courtois at the near post. Watford fully deserve their equaliser.

Approaching half time at Stamford Bridge. Will we see a goal before the break?

Gomes turns away Fabregas' effort from range. Real end-to-end game this half-chances for both sides. Chelsea you feel have slightly more firepower at their disposal.

Richarlison has been rather elusive from a Chelsea perspective so far and he curls goalwards, only for the ball to go straight to Courtois. Another effort on goal for Watford though.

Tom Cleverley has been much-improved this season and he has the chance to draw Watford level from a free-kick, but Courtois beefs the ball away. Tight half this.

Watford are not lying down here and they come close to an equaliser when Britos' cross sees three players attack the ball, but Cahill somehow gets it clear. Chelsea still on top but they're far from their best.

Chelsea celebrate going ahead against Watford.

And yet Pedro is still not first choice under Antonio Conte.

Two early booking for Watford. Miguel Britos was cautioned earlier for complaining about that corner which led to the goal, and now Adrian Mariappa has joined him for another bout of descent. Jon Moss has literally turned yellow.

The goal came via a corner which actually should never have been given, after he last came off Eden Hazard. Watford will feel aggrieved but take nothing away from Pedro's stunning goal.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Watford (Pedro)

The champions take the lead and what a way to do it. Hazard cuts the ball back to Pedro who takes on the shot first time from 25 yards and the Spaniard curls the off the post and beyond Gomes, who doesn't get near it. Fine effort.

Watford playing in all red this afternoon, as oppose to their traditional yellow; which is totally ridiculous. Apparently this assist the officials making decisions such as offside and the like. I am sure the manufacturers are thrilled.

Fast start from both sides in this lunchtime kick-off. Azpilicueta and Femenia are central to that with crosses from the right which messieurs Courtois and Gomes deal with.

Players on their way out at Stamford Bridge.

Under way at Stamford Bridge.

Players out in west London. Last season we wouldn't have been discussing the result of this game, but a new year brings new expectation. This could be a cracker.

Chelsea warming up ahead of kick-off. Less than 10 minutes to go.

Once again it was all change at Watford in the summer. A new manager and 10 new signings came through the door at Vicarage Road in what is becoming an annual period of upheaval under the ownership of Gino Pozzo.

But this term the Hornets have found the right balance and having recruited well in the form of Marco Silva, who impressed before taking Hull down last season, they have the right blend to stage an assault on the top half. They are fifth after eight games so far and they have all the tools to stage a surprise this lunchtime.

Chelsea out to warm-up ahead of kick-off.

Chelsea have named three of their injury doubts in their team this afternoon, but how fit are they?

Tiemoue Bakayoko played the full 90 minutes against Roma with a groin problem; Gary Cahill suffered a facial knock which meant he was forced to wear a bizarre bandage in the second half; and David Luiz went off with a leg injury suffered in the first half.

They all start today, but as Conte has commented throughout this season are they fully fit, or covering for the gaps in their squad?

Marco Silva on his key selection decision this afternoon.

Nathnaile Chalobah has been denied his return to Stamford Bridge this afternoon, due to a knee injury. He moved to Vicarage Road permanently for £5m in the summer.

One change for Watford. Last weekend's match-winner and captain Troy Deeney returns to replace summer signing Andre Gray.

And now the Watford side.

Two changes for Chelsea from the draw with Roma. Antonio Rudiger comes in for Andreas Christensen and Pedro replaces Davide Zappacosta.

Tiemoue Bakayoko, David Luiz and Gary Cahill all start after mid-week injury problems.

Chelsea team drops.......

Watford have taken 10 points out of 12 on the road in the Premier League this season, while at home they have held Liverpool and beaten Arsenal. Can they be the latest side to upset Chelsea on their own patch, where they have already lost twice this season?

Chelsea's players arrive at Stamford Bridge. Teams will be confirmed in just over 10 minutes.

While attention this afternoon turns to west London, on the other side of the capital there is a crisis in the offing.

West Ham's 3-0 defeat to Brighton has increased the pressure on manager Slaven Bilic, whose future will be the subject of discussions among the ownership today. Two wins from nine this season for the Hammers; will that be enough for the Croat to stay?

Team news on the way from Stamford Bridge, but until then how do we expect both sides to line up?

Chelsea have a host of injury problems to contend with. As many as six players are doubtful, which could see Cesc Fabregas the only fully fit midfielder available to Antonio Conte. David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko face fitness tests.

Watford are expected to be unchanged from the win at Arsenal. Nathaniel Chalobah misses the return to his former club having undergone knee surgery.

All is once again not well at Stamford Bridge and after a winless October so far, Chelsea could badly do with a result to lift spirits. Antonio Conte's side were upset by Crystal Palace last weekend and surrendered a two-goal lead in midweek to Roma before drawing 3-3. Furthermore, an injury-crisis is engulfing the champions with Cesc Fabregas is the only fully-fit midfielder available to the Italian.

Watford will be in no mood to be compassionate and have shown in dispatches this season they are more than capable of springing a surprise in west London. Marco Silva's men have already beaten Arsenal and held Liverpool, while they are unbeaten on the road this season, a run which includes wins at Bournemouth, Southampton and Swansea City.

Team news and all the build-up ahead of the 12:30pm kick-off on the way.