Chelsea Secure Champions League Berth with Win over Watford

One of the more bizarre battles for places in Europe next season finally produced results as a contender actually won their way in.

Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea produced second-half goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, David Luiz, and Gonzalo Higuain to nail down a 3-0 triumph and book the Blues into the Champions League next season.

That's because both Manchester United and Arsenal slipped on banana skins of their own dropping to seal the deal for Chelsea and fellow backer-inner Tottenham.

 

True to the way it's been going for the alleged contenders the past month, this wasn't all rainbows-&-unicorns for the Blues. Watford had their chances.

Chelsea seemed very tired, and after N'Golo Kanté was forced off the pitch due to injury, dudes appreared to be in big trouble.

Kepa Arrizabalaga had some work to do, as the Hornets' Troy Deeney, and Gerard Deulofeu both got close to breaking through. But no.

 

Apparently, what Sarri's said at halftime seemed to make an impression.

Maybe it was something basic.

 

Whatever, it worked.

In the 48th minute, after a short corner, Eden Hazard found Loftus-Cheek, who headed home past Ben Foster:

 

One became two in a matter of two minutes.

Hazard was again the provider, as he found the unmarked Luiz from a corner, who only had to nod it in:

 

Despite being 2-0 down, Watford was still being pesky.

By now, though, it was all about the Blues.

Pedro picked out Higuain inside the box, and the Argentine lofted a classy looping finish past Foster in the 75th minute:

 

With that, the Blues were in:

It's safe to say Sarri's got a few issues to address in the off-season, but at least he'll have the lure of a Champions League schedule to turn a few heads.