Chelsea 4-3 Watford: Report and reaction

Typically in the final days of Terry's storied Chelsea career, the captain was the night's main protagonist as Watford suffered a fifth straight loss and the Blues won for a 14th time in 15 home games and celebrated amid blue and silver streamers.

Win against Sunderland on Sunday, when the Premier League trophy will be presented, and Chelsea will become the first club to record 30 victories in a 38-game season.

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 a fifth championship title and 15th major honour.

A 16th will be sought in the May 27 FA Cup final with Arsenal, when Antonio Conte will bid to end his first season as head coach with the double.

Terry was named to start in the league for the first time since September 11 against Swansea and began a first game since the February 18 FA Cup win at Wolves.

There was an element of good fortune about his goal as the ball dropped kindly for Terry in the area, he struck it with his shin and it went in off the post.

Two minutes later Terry gifted Watford a rare away goal scored by Etienne Capoue, but Cesar Azpilicueta's crisp drive restored the Blues' lead.

Michy Batshuayi, who scored the title-clinching goal at West Brom, put Chelsea's 3-1 up, but Daryl Janmaat pulled a goal back with a superb strike.

Substitute Stefano Okaka equalised 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.

For the third time in as many seasons there was a guard of honour for the champions at Stamford Bridge.

A year to the day since Leicester were congratulated, Watford applauded the Blues in a jubilant atmosphere.

Batshauyi made his first Premier League start after 18 substitute appearances as one of nine changes for Chelsea. Only Eden Hazard and Azpilicueta were retained.

Conte applauded all sides of the ground as chants of "Antonio, Antonio" bellowed around Stamford Bridge in the opening minute.

This was an opportunity for the likes of Kurt Zouma, Nathaniel Chalobah, Nathan Ake, Kenedy and Batshuayi to show Conte that they can perform next season, when European football will force the Italian to make changes more frequently.

Striker Diego Costa was on the substitutes' bench and spotted in the media room adjacent to the tunnel at half-time, perusing the cheese board.

Despite the title having been secured and the relaxed attitude of some, Conte was as animated as ever in his technical area.

He appeared frustrated at his players for relinquishing possession too easily early on.

Batshuayi had a deflected effort go wide after Ake had tackled Jose Holebas on the edge of the area.

From Willian's resulting corner, Zouma's header hit Terry on the back before landing fortuitously for the captain to sweep in.

The bench-clearing celebrations soon turned to frustrations.

Ake was hounded by Capoue, heading to Terry who could only cushion his header to allow the Watford midfielder to loop one over Asmir Begovic.

It was the Hornets' first goal in seven away games in the league, since January's win at Arsenal.

Hazard shot narrowly wide from Willian's long pass before Chelsea scored a second when a corner was cleared only as far as the edge of the area.

Azpilicueta, who has played every single league minute this term, drilled in a fine low shot for his first league goal.

Willian was denied by Gomes early in the second half before Kenedy's shot ricocheted to Ake, who was onside. He showed composure to pass for Batshuayi to net his second goal against Watford.

Chelsea's lead was halved when Janmaat surged by Zouma, swivelled past Ake and netted across Begovic.

Watford were level when Terry and Zouma failed to deal with Tom Cleverley's cross and Okaka thrashed the ball in, three minutes after coming off the bench.

Chelsea found a winner, though. N'Golo Kante robbed Capoue and fed Willian, who in turn passed to Fabregas to sweep in from the edge of the area. 

Post-match reaction

Chelsea defender John Terry has predicted an emotional finish to his career with the Premier League champions.

Terry told Sky Sports 1: "First and foremost it was great for me to get in the starting line-up tonight. (I was) delighted to get on the scoresheet and more importantly to get the win tonight."

Terry admitted saying farewell to the Stamford Bridge fans in the final game of the season against Sunderland on Sunday would be difficult.

He said: "It's going to be tough. Tonight was tough but next week I'm going to be in bits."

Terry said the nature of the game against Watford probably surprised some observers.

"People expected, because we had won the league, it was going to be a nothing game. A lot of our players were fighting for their place and were looking to impress the manager."

Azpilicueta said Chelsea had been prepared for a tough challenge from Watford.

He said: "It was our first game as champions so we knew it would be tough.

"They pushed us to the end but we showed great character, great desire.

"If Azpilicueta plays the whole game against Sunderland he will have featured in every minute of every Premier League game for Chelsea this season.

He added: "It's something amazing. The manager has shown great confidence in me. It is something I really appreciate and I work a lot. I want to play (against Sunderland), I want to play every game." 

Conte thinks Terry should not retire and instead stick by his decision to continue playing regularly elsewhere, which was his motivation for departing Chelsea.

Asked if Terry should retire, Conte said: "No. Absolutely (not)."Otherwise he stays here. John wants to continue to play. I wish for him and his family the best. Chelsea will be always his home.

"When you arrive at this moment and your heart, your head and your body tell you continue to play, because you want to play, it's right."

The Premier League trophy will be presented following Chelsea's final match of the season at home to Sunderland on Sunday.

Conte added: "This is the right final for John."

Terry is taking his coaching badges and Chelsea could have a vacancy when assistant boss Steve Holland leaves to join England full-time this summer.

Conte said his "door is open" for Holland to stay, but the former Italy boss understands the lure of the national team. 

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri said: "Tomorrow I will investigate but I don't think it was anything."I'm proud of my squad, proud of my team. I'm still evaluating the team for next season. There were some positives."