Michy Batshuayi's double capped a resilient Chelsea display as they fought back from 2-1 down to beat Watford 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro put paid to the early threat posed by Watford when he curled home a stunning opener following a contentious penalty decision (12), but in first-half stoppage time, Abdoulaye Doucoure made Chelsea pay for some slack defending (45+2) by lashing home a close-range volley.

Four minutes into the second half, Richarlison squared for the unmarked Roberto Pereyra to fire beyond Thibaut Courtois (49), but Batshuayi's header made it 2-2 (71).

With three minutes of normal time remaining, Cesar Azpilicueta nodded a third past Heurelho Gomes from Willian's cross (87), before second-half substitute Batshuayi prodded home a fourth to cap the victory and move Chelsea up to fourth.

Player ratings

Chelsea: Courtois (6), Rudiger (5), Luiz (6), Cahill (6), Azpilicueta (7), Fabregas (6), Bakayoko (6), Alonso (6), Pedro (8), Morata (5), Hazard (6)

Subs: Batshuayi (9), Willian (6), Zappacosta (N/A)

Watford: Gomes (6), Mariappa (5), Kabasele (6), Britos (5), Femenia (5), Cleverley (6), Doucoure (7), Holebas (6), Pereyra (6), Deeney (6), Richarlison (7)

Subs: Carrillo (5), Watson (4), Gray (N/A)

Man of the match: Michy Batshuayi

Antonio Conte - buoyed by the return of Alvaro Morata - was looking for his side to respond after back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Crystal Palace, while the Hornets were full of confidence following last week's stoppage-time win over Arsenal.

Marco Silva's side started brightly, but it was Morata who set hearts racing inside two minutes when he met Azpilicueta's cross under the challenge of Christian Kabasele, but the former Real Madrid striker was offside.

But Chelsea took advantage at a corner as Eden Hazard picked out Pedro on the edge of the area, and the Spaniard curled a delicious first-time effort over the Watford defence, off the left-hand post and past a stunned Gomes.

On the stroke of half-time, Doucoure fired the Hornets level with a superb volley after Luiz failed to clear a long throw into the box.

Richarlison sliced a great opportunity wide from close range in a frenetic start to the second half, following good play from Kiko Femenia.

But just over a minute later the Brazilian atoned for his miss by collecting Troy Deeney's lay-off before squaring for the unmarked Roberto Pereyra, who fired home over the outstretched Courtois.

With 20 minutes to play substitute Batshuayi headed an equaliser from Pedro's cross from the right flank, and Azpilicueta put the hosts ahead three minutes from time, converting Willian's precise delivery.

Batshuayi did get the final say deep into stoppage time, capping a superb fightback by poking his second past Gomes after Miguel Britos' poor pass.

Opta facts

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with Watford in all competitions, winning 10 and drawing three.

Watford have shipped exactly four goals on each of their last three top-flight trips to London (0-4 v Tottenham, 3-4 v Chelsea and 2-4 v Chelsea today).

Pedro has been directly involved in more goals for Chelsea in all competitions in 2017 than any other player (21 - 12 goals, nine assists).

Eden Hazard registered his first Premier League assist in 15 appearances in the competition (since April 2017 v Crystal Palace).

Abdoulaye Doucoure has scored with all four of his shots on target in the Premier League this season.

Richarlison (five) has had a hand in more goals than any other Watford player in the Premier League this season (three goals, two assists).

Michy Batshuayi has scored in each of his three Premier League appearances against Watford (four goals in total).

Since the start of last season, only Olivier Giroud (seven) has scored more goals as a sub in the Premier League than Batshuayi (five).

Cesar Azpilicueta has been directly involved in more PL goals than any other defender this season (five - one goal, four assists).

What's next?

Watford take on Stoke City next weekend, while Chelsea welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday evening.

Click Here For Official Team Sheet

Teams

Chelsea Courtois, Rudiger, Luiz, Cahill (c), Azpilicueta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso (Willian 68), Pedro (Zappacosta 86), Morata (Batchuayi 61), Hazard
Subs Not Used Caballero, Christensen, Ampadu, Musonda
Booked Rudiger, Morata
Goals Pedro 12, Batshuayi 71, 90+5, Azpilicueta 87

Watford Gomes (c), Mariappa (Gray 90), Kabasele, Britos, Femenia, Cleverley, Doucoure, Holebas, Pereyra (Carrillo 65), Deeney (Watson 80), Richarlison
Subs Not Used Karnezis, Janmaat, Wague, Capoue
Booked Holebas, Mariappa, Feminia
Goals Doucoure 45+2, Pereyra 49

Attendance 41,467

Referee Jon Moss