Chelsea thrash Watford to move to third on the log

Chelsea moved up to third in the table and closed in on confirming a top-four place with a 3-0 victory over Watford at Stamford Bridge.

Watford had the better of the first half and Kepa Arrizabalaga brilliantly saved a header from Troy Deeney, while Chelsea lost N’Golo Kante to an early injury.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was Kante’s replacement and only three minutes after half-time he headed in the opener from Eden Hazard’s cross.

The Blues’ advantage was doubled on 51 minutes as David Luiz got on the end of Hazard’s 15th assist of the season, the most in the Premier League, to head past Ben Foster.

Foster was beaten for the third time on 75 minutes by Gonzalo Higuain’s lofted finish.

The result moves Chelsea into third on 71 points, a place and point above Tottenham Hotspur, and if Arsenal do not beat Brighton & Hove Albion their top-four place will be guaranteed.

Watford are 10th on 50 points.