Watford 1-2 Chelsea: Blues back up to fourth with Hazard-inspired victory

1. Hazard rounds keeper and puts Blues ahead
2. Pereyra scores a superb equaliser, two mins after Hazard's goal
3. Hazard restores Blues' lead from penalty spot after being fouled by Foster
4. Belgian passes 100 goals for the club

Goodbye

BBC One

26 December, when the title race swung Liverpool's way?

• Jurgen Klopp's side extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points
• Champions Manchester City drop to third after defeat
• Tottenham move into second place after thrashing Bournemouth

Have a look at the MOTD running order...

Thanks for joining me.

Slump

After losing just three of their first 13 home league games under Javi Gracia (W8 D2), Watford have since lost three of their last four.

'Happy with the performance'

Watford

Watford manager Javi Gracia tells BBC Sport: "We knew it would be difficult for us but after going behind in the first half and to draw level, we were playing better in the second half. We were dominating the game, had more possession and then conceded the goal. It was tough from there and difficult to keep pressing.

"We trust in all our players and Adrian Mariappa was the substitute. i don't know what is happening with Christian Kabasele.

"The first goal was scored after we gave the ball away with a lateral pass. We tried to do our best but I am happy with the performance of the players.

"We try to practice different corner kicks and scored one goal from a set piece.

"I am enjoying and very proud of the players, they make big efforts in all the games they play and we are competing with very good teams and in this moment I can only say positive words."

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League games played on Boxing Day (W9 D5), since a 4-2 loss at Charlton in 2003-04.

'I responded well'

Chelsea

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard tells BBC Sport: "We needed to show that we are still in the top four and our target is to win games. When we lose, we need to respond and did that today.

"It is not a bad number of goals for this great club and want to keep scoring and help my team win games.

"In the first half I missed a great opportunity so the boys wanted me to score. I responded well and scored. We try to give everything until the end."

This system makes us more 'defensively solid'

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri told Sky Sports: "I think we played a good match with a good level of determination and attention for 90 minutes. We could have won with another result. we missed three or four good opportunities but I'm happy with the reaction. It was dangerous for us when they conceded, but we reacted well and we didn't stop playing our football."

On Eden Hazard's performance: "I think he played very well, not only for his two goals, but he was good with his teammates and in open spaces. I like him in every position he is a great player."

On Hazard's position: "In this moment we need this solution because we need to be more solid defensively and with this system we can score and become more solid in the defensive phase. Maybe in the last match, we played better in the first half than we did tonight, but today the application was very good."

Top four the aim for Chelsea

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri tells BBC Sport: "I think maybe Saturday in the first half we played with more quality than today. We had more attention and determination continued for 90 minutes. We could have won with another result because in the last 20-25 minutes we missed opportunities. At the end of the match, we did very well, especially mentally.

"Eden Hazard can play in every position. Today he played very well with two goals and could have had a two or three assists. He can play with team-mates very well.

"We don't know how much Pedro is injured, we will evaluate tomorrow. That is the same problem with Callum Hudson-Odoi. He had a little injury a few days ago, yesterday it was good and he managed 50-55 minutes. We thought it was better to substitute him.

"We have to try to stay close to the top four. The target this season could only be to stay close and to enter into the Champions League. Liverpool are playing really well especially with the continuity to win the Premier League."

'I think it was a penalty'

Watford

Watford manager Javi Gracia told Sky Sports: "I think we competed very well. I think we started the second half well by pressing high, but in that moment if you make a mistake they can score a second goal. Maybe after we scored our goal, in that moment we were playing better but we conceded the second.

"We know they are a very good team and maybe if there was another decision when we were playing and Gerard Deulofeu goes into the box, maybe it could have been different. I think it was a penalty."

On the Watford goal: "We try to practice different corner kicks and I am happy for the goal but today it was not enough. We will try to improve and be better.

On Christian Kabasele: "At this moment I do not know anything because he is not with us, he is in the hospital."

Watford boss Javi Gracia says his side should have had a penalty.

I agree.

Full quotes to come.

Reuters

'I can even play at centre back'

Chelsea

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard told Sky Sports: "It means a lot, especially because we won today. 101 goals with this amazing club is something I will never forget but now the fans, staff and players want more. I want to score more for this club and then try to be a legend like Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and John Terry."

On his position up front: "I can even play at centre back. My target is to score goals and to try and win the game, as a winger or a striker. I missed a couple of chances today, especially in the first half, but I scored two so it's important to keep focus.

"We showed great character against Man City after defeat by Wolves, and today we did the same thing after a defeat to Leicester. When we fight together we are a top team."

This will be music to the ears of Chelsea fans...

Eden Hazard says he wants to be a "legend, like Lampard, Terry and Drogba".

Full quotes to come.

Reuters

'The quality showed through'

Pat Nevin

Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

In the end, the quality showed through.

The quality was Eden Hazard above everybody else. some people do not like the idea of him playing up front, but he has won his team three points today.

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard jogs over to the pocket of travelling fans and chucks his t-shirt to a young lad in the front row.

How's that for a Christmas present!

FULL-TIME

All over.

Eden Hazard's double seals the points for Chelsea.

Reuters

CLOSE!

Eden Hazard's low shot is kept out by the Ben Foster's leg.

Could have been the hat-trick.

ACROBATIC EFFORT

Watford put in the corner and there is pinball inside the Chelsea area, but the Blues half clear.

But the ball comes back towards Ben Foster on the edge of the and the Watford goalkeeper attempts an overhead kick which is collected by opposite number Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Goalkeeper Ben Foster is up.

Watford have a corner late on...

'Watford being pinned back'

Pat Nevin

Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Chelsea have held the ball really well in the last few minutes. Watford have worked so hard but they are now being pinned back in the wide areas.

FOUR additional minutes to be played.