John Terry scored for a 17th successive English Premier League season as newly crowned champion Chelsea beat Watford 4-3 courtesy of Cesc Fabregas’ late strike on Monday.
Chelsea celebrated a 14th victory in 15 home games amid blue and silver streamers on its return to Stamford Bridge after sealing the title.
Terry made his 716th Chelsea appearance and likely his penultimate one at Stamford Bridge, scoring his 67th goal. The 36-year-old defender will leave Chelsea this summer after 22 years, and will also be expected to play on Sunday when he will lift the trophy for the fifth time.
There was an element of good fortune about Terry’s goal on his first league start since September. As the ball dropped kindly for Terry in the penalty area, the defender struck it with his shin and it went in off the post in the 22nd minute.
Two minutes later, Terry gifted Watford a rare away goal scored by Etienne Capoue, but Cesar Azpilicueta’s crisp drive restored Chelsea’s lead.
Michy Batshuayi, who scored the title-clinching goal at West Bromwich Albion on Friday, put Chelsea 3-1 up, but Daryl Janmaat pulled a goal back with a superb strike.
And Watford substitute Stefano Okaka equalized after holding off Terry before Fabregas’ decisive 88th-minute strike.
Sebastian Prodl was sent off for a second bookable offence in the second minute of stoppage time as Watford finished the contest with 10 men in a bad-tempered conclusion.
Watford is already sure off its Premier League status heading into Sunday’s final game against Liverpool.
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