Javi Gracia said his Watford side were made to pay for missed chances after Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at Chelsea.
The Hornets enjoyed the better of the opening half at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and had several opportunities to take the lead, while Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled off a world-class save to deny Troy Deeney.
It was a different story after the break as Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s header put Chelsea in front, before a further header from David Luiz and then Gonzalo Higuain’s close-range finish increased the hosts’ lead.
Afterwards, Gracia said his players were guilty of missing good chances and recognised that they may have been distracted by the prospect of their FA Cup final against Manchester City later this month, saying: “We have to play the final.
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It’s normal for it to be on our minds, but we were focused on this game (against Chelsea). “I like the way we played the first half but, in that moment, you have to take advantage of the chances you have.
If you don’t do that against teams like this, they will have periods where they create chances, and they did that. “We have to finish the league next week, and then have an important final. If your behaviour always is defending badly at corners and free-kicks, I’d be worried. But it’s not like that. I’d prefer to be optimistic.”
