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Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Follow live coverage as Chelsea face Watford in the Premier League today.

Manchester City are reigning champions after a dominant 2020/21 season and Pep Guardiola's side are favourites to win it again boasting as they do one of the best squads in Europe.

European champions Chelsea have proven they have what it takes to dethrone City, however, having done it in last season's Champions League final and will be hoping to add a domestic title to the one won in Porto.

Liverpool were winners back in 2020 ending a 30-year wait for league glory and Jurgen Klopp is sure to have them back challenging again at the sharp end this season too while Manchester United will be looking to be back in the title picture with Cristiano Ronaldo returning to his former club in the summer.

It's not all about the action at the top though with Norwich, Watford and Brentford promoted to the top tier for 2020/21 and hoping to hold their own against the best English football has to offer and avoid the drop.

We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:

Chelsea vs Watford LIVE: Premier League updates

  • Chelsea XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, James, Kante, Saul, Kenedy, Ziyech, Havertz, Mount

  • Watford XI: Bachmann, Kamara, Samir, Femenía, Kabasele, Cleverley, Sissoko(c), Kayembe, João Pedro, Sema, King

Chelsea FC 2 - 1 Watford FC

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Chelsea are a goal to the good at the break thanks to Kai Havertz's early strike, and well on course to securing third place in the Premier League. As things stand, Watford are set to bow out of the top-flight with a defeat.

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HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-0 WATFORD

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OFF THE BAR! The hosts almost double their lead as Havertz latches onto a lofted ball into the penalty area, only to be denied by the woodwork from a tight angle.

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Following good build-up from Chelsea down the right, there is a chance for Mount in the box, but the England international is denied by a strong block from the Watford defence.

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Substitution Mason Mount Ben Chilwell

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The Blues do boast an impressive record on the final day of Premier League seasons. Prior to kick-off, only Arsenal (64) had found the net more times than them (56).

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Goal Dan Gosling

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Chelsea continue to threaten and Havertz looks to get in behind the defence, who make up vital ground to deny him a clear sight on goal.

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Good save! The ball breaks kindly in the box for Mount to strike, but Bachmann is equal to his low drive.

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Kenedy has looked lively so far in what is his first Premier League appearance for the Blues in five years. The Brazilian has enjoyed plenty of possession and provided a constant threat down the left.

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The visitors look to threaten again down the left flank, but their momentum stalls when Kayembe is penalised for offside.

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The Hornets have only tasted victory on the final day of a Premier League season once in seven attempts. That sole success came during their maiden campaign of 1999-2000.

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Substitution Hassane Kamara Adam Masina

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Good save! Watford enjoying their best spell and it almost culminates in an equaliser. Kamara's low ball flashes across the penalty area to an unmarked Femenia, whose fierce shot is pushed away by Mendy.

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A dangerous cross from the right is cleared for a corner by Azpilicueta. But Watford are unable to capitalise, as Chelsea calmly deal with the danger.

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The Hornets have lost eight of their nine previous Premier League showdowns with Chelsea, including each of the most recent five.

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Substitution Joshua Christian Kojo King Juan Camilo Hernández Suárez

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Watford enjoy a rare venture forward, during which Mendy is forced out of goal to punch clear. The Hornets maintain the pressure as Kayembe plays a neat one-two with King, before drilling a shot wide of the target.

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Hodgson watches on from the sidelines for the final time today. The 74-year-old will be replaced in the Vicarage Road dugout by former Forest Green Rovers boss Rob Edwards next season.

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Chelsea's early dominance is demonstrated by the fact they have enjoyed over 70 per cent of the possession so far, while registering five shots on goal to their opponents' one.

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Mount is completely unmarked as he meets Ziyech's deep cross at the far post, but is unable to direct his header towards goal.

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Substitution Antonio Rüdiger Ross Barkley

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The Blues are well in control as they aim to address their indifferent home form at the end of this season. Indeed, they have won just once in their last five Premier League games at Stamford Bridge.

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At the other end, Chelsea win possession and neat link-up play between Mount and Havertz tees up Saul, who curls his shot just wide of the near post.

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Watford look to respond immediately and a free-kick is only cleared as far as Sissoko, whose 20-yard drive is well-blocked by the stubborn Chelsea defence.

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If Hodgson could have chosen any ground on which to conclude his managerial career, Stamford Bridge would not have been at the top of his list. Indeed, the former England boss has lost on each of his last seven visits.

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Chelsea maintain their pressure and after Kenedy's effort is blocked, Saul unleashes a low drive that deflects off Mount and behind for a goal-kick.

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The Blues continue to threaten and Kenedy's cross almost breaks kindly for Ziyech, but Kamara's swift intervention clears the danger for now.

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GOOD SAVE! After Sissoko is dispossessed, Chelsea quickly turn defence into attack as Havertz races onto a ball over the top of the Watford defence. However, Bachmann demonstrates wonderful reflexes to deny him.

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Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 11 matches when finishing a Premier League season at home. You must go back to a 3-1 reverse against Aston Villa in May 2002 for their last defeat.

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For the final time, Mike Dean is our referee for today's Premier League clash. He blows his whistle and we're under way!

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The teams are making their way out onto the field and kick-off is moments away.

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Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson makes six changes for Watford in what is the final match of his distinguished managerial career. Femenia and King have both recovered from illness, while Cleverley (rib) and Samir (groin) are back from injury. There are also starts for Kamara and Bachmann in goal. Ngakia, Masina, Cathcart and Gosling all drop to the bench.

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Thomas Tuchel makes five changes to the Chelsea side that were held by Leicester in midweek. Havertz, Mount, Saul, Kenedy and Azpilicueta all come into the side, with Lukaku, Pulisic, Jorginho and Chalobah dropping to the bench, where is a welcome return for long-term injury absentee Ben Chilwell. Timo Werner, Mateo Kovacic and Andreas Christensen miss out.

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Chelsea have never lost to Watford in the Premier League on home soil; winning six of the previous seven such matches, while scoring at least twice on each occasion.

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SUBS: Rob Elliot, Jeremy Ngakia, William Troost-Ekong, Adam Masina, Craig Cathcart, Dan Gosling, Juan Hernandez, Francisco Sierralta, Kwadwo Baah.

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WATFORD (4-3-3): Daniel Bachmann; Kiko Femenia, Christian Kabasele, Samir, Hassane Kamara; Moussa Sissoko, Edo Kayembe, Tom Cleverley; Joao Pedro, Joshua King, Ken Sema.

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Goal Kai Lukas Havertz

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SUBS: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jorginho, Romelu Lukaku, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trevoh Chalobah, Ross Barkley, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr.

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CHELSEA (3-4-3): Edouard Mendy; Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger; Reece James, N'Golo Kante, Saul Niguez, Kenedy; Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount.

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Chelsea vs Watford: Team news

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Chelsea XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, James, Kante, Saul, Kenedy, Ziyech, Havertz, Mount

Watford XI: Bachmann, Kamara, Samir, Femenía, Kabasele, Cleverley, Sissoko(c), Kayembe, João Pedro, Sema, King

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Chelsea are all but guaranteed third place; Tottenham require a 19-goal swing in order to displace them. Although, the Blues would make absolutely certain with a point against relegated Watford, who are preparing for life back in the Championship.

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Hello everyone and welcome to live text coverage of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge.

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Follow live football coverage with The Independent today.

Whether it's Premier League, Champions League, a European Championship or the World Cup we will keep you up to date with everything you need to know.

We will have all the latest scores, goals and updates plus analysis and reaction throughout the game here.

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Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website