How did Guus Hiddink get on in his first game back at Stamford Bridge?

Guus Hiddink was back in the Chelsea dugout at the start of his second stint in charge at Stamford Bridge, with Watford the opposition. The veteran Dutchman has taken over until the end of the season following Jose Mourinho’s sacking last week.

Here’s a look at how he fared in his first game back at the helm.

The line-up

Hiddink made just one change to the starting line-up chosen by caretaker boss Steve Holland for last weekend’s win over Sunderland, with Gary Cahill preferred to Kurt Zouma alongside captain John Terry at centre-half.

Playmaker Eden Hazard, who missed out last Saturday with a hip injury, was fit enough for a place on the bench.

The tactics

(Paul Harding/PA)

Little discernible change from those of Mourinho. Diego Costa was up front on his own, Willian, Pedro and Oscar buzzed around behind him. Cesc Fabregas and Memanja Matic shielded the back four. The attacking play had a touch more urgency about it, though.

Motivation

(Matt Dunham/AP)

Chelsea raced out of the traps with Costa heading an early chance over. Oscar, not renowned as a midfield hardman, looked in the mood with a crunching tackle on Jose Jurado. But Chelsea still looked edgy when the game was not going their way.

In the dugout

(Matt Dunham/AP)

Hiddink looked a little embarrassed as he was re-introduced to the Stamford Bridge crowd to a warm reception. He enjoyed a friendly exchange with Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores, whom he once managed at Valencia. Unlike his predecessor at times, Hiddink remained calm in the dugout, rarely venturing out of his seat – not even when Nemanja Matic’s needless handball gifted Watford a way back into the game.

Substitutions

(Matt Dunham/AP)

Fabregas was hauled off at half-time after a poor first half, with Jon Obi Mikel brought on to shore up the midfield. Hazard came on with 15 minutes left and won the penalty which should have been decisive.

Impact

(Paul Harding/PA)

Managed to coax a performance out of Diego Costa, who finally looked something back to his menacing best and came up with two top-class goals. But Chelsea’s weaknesses in defence will not be solved overnight, while too many players are still not hitting anything like the heights of last season.

The verdict?

(Paul Harding/PA)

Things would have looked a lot brighter had Oscar not skied a late penalty to win the game. Instead a 2-2 draw does little to suggest Chelsea are ready to mount a challenge for the top four. Costa was the bright spot, though, and if other players follow suit Chelsea could yet salvage something from their season.

Hiddink drops Hazard, Mikel, Zouma to bench

Guus Hiddink makes just one change to the side which beat Sunderland 3-1 a week ago for his first game back in charge of the Blues, as Gary Cahill replaces Kurt Zouma in central defence.

Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic start as the two deep-lying midfielders, while Willian, Oscar and Pedro are tasked with supplying lone striker Diego Costa.

Having missed last week’s game through injury, Eden Hazard starts on the bench.

Nathan Ake, on loan at Watford from Stamford Bridge, is ineligible to play in today’s game.

Chelsea are expected to line up in the following 4-2-3-1 formation:

Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Pedro; Diego Costa.

Substitutes: Begovic, Baba, Zouma, Mikel, Ramires, Hazard, Remy .

Watford are expected to line up in the following 4-2-3-1 formation:

Gomes; Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Holebas; Capoue, Watson; Abdi, Deeney (c), Jurado; Ighalo.

Substitutes: Arlauskis, Prodl, Guedioura, Berghuis, Anya, Behrami, Diamanti.

Today’s referee is Andre Marriner.