LONDON -- Antonio Conte praised Cesc Fabregas for staking his claim to a place in his starting XI with an inspired performance from the substitutes' bench as Chelsea came from behind to beat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
Watford stifled Chelsea for much of Saturday's match and looked good for three points when Etienne Capoue superbly lashed them into the lead on 55 minutes, but the introductions of Fabregas and summer signing Michy Batshuayi turned the tide for Conte.
Batshuayi tapped in his first Premier League goal in the 80th minute after Heurelho Gomes parried Eden Hazard's low shot back into danger, before a sublime Fabregas through ball released Diego Costa to race clear of the Watford defence and slot in the winner a minute from time.