Watford scored three late goals to make manager Javi Gracia’s first home game an “unforgettable night” and increase the pressure on his Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte.
The Blues played an hour with 10 men after Tiemoue Bakayoko’s red card capped a dreadful individual 30-minute performance – in which he gifted Watford four chances.
The Hornets – who had won only one of their previous 12 Premier League games – led controversially as Gerard Deulofeu went down easily under keeper Thibaut Courtois’ challenge and Troy Deeney scored the penalty.
Chelsea, who brought on Olivier Giroud for a debut in the second half, scored an undeserved equaliser when Eden Hazard curled home brilliantly from 25 yards.
But, two minutes later, Daryl Janmaat scored a fantastic goal of his own when he cut in from the right wing, played a one-two with Roberto Pereyra and beat another couple of defenders before scoring with his weaker left foot.
Deulofeu added another when he ran from halfway before his shot was deflected home by Gary Cahill – and Pereyra scored a fourth from Abdoulaye Doucoure’s through ball.
The Hornets are now six points above the relegation zone.
Gracia, who replaced Marco Silva last month, told BBC Sport: “It was a great victory and a great match. I am very proud of my players.
“We played a good match, pressed high. The match changed after the sending-off but I think we played very well. Chelsea are a very big club, a big team.”
It was Chelsea’s second consecutive defeat by three goals in the Premier League, following their 3-0 home reverse against Bournemouth.
Watford had earned just six points from 12 games since late November, with Silva losing his job and being replaced by Gracia – who lost to Southampton in the FA Cup and drew 0-0 at Stoke in his opening two games, both away from home.
They were excellent from the start against the defending champions and merited all three points.
They had plenty of chances to score before and after Deeney’s opener, which came when Deulofeu was clipped by Courtois and threw himself to the ground. Gracia’s side should have been out of sight before Hazard’s strike looked set to rescue a late point.
As well as the four gifts from Bakayoko, Deeney missed a sitter from eight yards, and Richarlison, Doucoure and Jose Holebas all forced saves from Courtois.
For a team in such bad form, many may have expected a collapse after Hazard’s equaliser against the run of play – but it galvanised the hosts for a phenomenal final eight minutes.
Janmaat restored their lead brilliantly, before the lively Deulofeu – on loan from Barcelona – scored a fine individual goal moments later.
Pereyra’s goal was also impressive, running onto Doucoure’s through ball before taking Cesar Azpilicueta out of play with his first touch and lashing past Courtois.
Is time running out for Conte?
Before the game, Conte took the unusual step of asking the club to release a statement backing him – following their heavy home loss to Bournemouth.
If it was not coming before the Watford game, it is highly unlikely to come after it.
Having won the Premier League in the Italian’s first season in charge, Chelsea are fourth and battling for the final Champions League place this term. They are one point above fifth-placed Tottenham.
Their fans were annoyed with referee Mike Dean for what they felt was a harsh Bakayoko second booking and a perceived dive for the penalty – but Chelsea were very poor and deserved nothing from the match.
The visitors were shambolic at the back at stages – and only had three shots on target, all in the final 10 minutes. Cesc Fabregas, who replaced Willian following Bakayoko’s red card, forced a save just before Hazard’s beautiful goal from outside of the box.
With Alvaro Morata still out with a back injury, Conte decided to start with Hazard as a false nine.
Former Arsenal striker Giroud came on in the 64th minute and he only had two chances – one blocked and one saved by Orestis Karnezis in injury time with the game long gone.
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