Conte brought on Batshuayi in place of Oscar with Chelsea trailing 1-0 to Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, and the Belgium striker made an nearly immediate impact in the 80th minute when he followed up Eden Hazard’s low shot to score his first Premier League goal and level the score.
Advertisement
The Blues were heading for a shock defeat until Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to equalise and Cesc Fabregas produced a superb assist for Diego Costa’s victor.
Manager Antonio Conte praised the impact of his substitutes as Chelsea again left it late to strike for victory.
“I’m pleased for Victor Moses, Cesc and Batshuayi because the impact was very good”.
Conte said: “I don’t understand that other players or managers or press all say bad (things) about him”.
“Or when, at the end of the game, we played 4-2-4 to stay wide with two wingers”.
Chelsea’s Italian head coach Antonio Conte reacts at the final whistle on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on August 20, 2016.
The duo linked up for the second time in as many games during Chelsea’s win over Watford.
“This game wasn’t easy because we were 1-0 down”.
“They can play together, not only during the game but also from the start”.
“Even when we were level I was very happy with the way we were playing”, Mazzarri told Sky Sports. “It’s hard to look at the positives because we feel so deflated losing those two late goals”. Normally these wins are very important to improve, to transfer the work, for our confidence to rise, because after a bad season like a year ago it’s not easy to start, to win two games.
“They are going to help us improve”.
“Because it is not good for him, for me, for Chelsea or the fans”.
Advertisement
“Like we say in Italy, we complicated our own life”.
