Three things Thomas Tuchel got right and one he got wrong as Chelsea stay top

Chelsea squeezed past Watford in the Premier League on Wednesday evening as a frustrated Thomas Tuchel watched his side well matched by Claudio Ranieri's hosts for long periods.

Mason Mount gave the visitors the lead after a lengthy delay in the action following a fan emergency in which a supporter suffered a cardiac arrest before being stabilised and taken to hospital.

However, it would be Watford who struck next with the in-form Emmanuel Dennis grabbing his sixth goal of the league season – before a substitute came to the rescue.

Daily Star Sport has taken a look at three things Thomas Tuchel got right and one thing he got wrong on the night, including a mistake in his starting XI but an inspired substitution.

Right – Faith in Mason Mount

Mason Mount became the first player to reach double figures under Tuchel at Chelsea with his opening goal that came after the long break at Vicarage Road – having been dropped against Manchester United.

The 22-year-old had only scored in one Premier League game so far this season before Wednesday evening, his treble in their 7-0 win over Norwich.

Tuchel in the main has continued the faith that Frank Lampard showed in the youngster despite dropping him on his first game at the club, and he will be a crucial player in their future success.

Wrong – Chance for Saul Niguez

Saul Niguez has started two Premier League games this season since joining Chelsea on loan from Atletico Madrid – and been taken off at the break in both of them.

The Spaniard had started in midfield but was not able to make his mark on the game, and was also booked for a challenge on Dennis which gave Watford a free-kick in a dangerous position.

Tuchel said before the game: "I think every single player needs his time to adapt and Saul needed his time. He competes with a lot of high quality players in midfield.

"We need to understand him a bit better, not in terms of language, but in terms what is his real strength, the detail of the player, what can he add to the squad, where is his maybe unique quality and it was not easy."

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Right – Hakim Ziyech to the rescue

Hakim Ziyech grabbed only his third goal of the season to hand his side all three points during the midweek fixture following a rasping finish as the game reached the closing stages.

The Morocco international has not been a guaranteed starter since leaving Ajax for Chelsea, and has even been linked with a move away from the club this week.

However, the 28-year-old showed his quality but becoming the match-winner off the bench, with Tuchel's substitution looking a masterstroke as the game neared being a draw.

Right – See it out

Chelsea boss Tuchel was in no mood to see another draw after they slipped up against United on Sunday, making sure that Ziyech's goal would be the winner with a stern defensive effort.

The Blues managed to keep the lively hosts at bay in the closing stages using all their defensive nous, the sort that helped them win the Champions League last season.

Chelsea could've slipped down to third behind Manchester City and Liverpool with a draw, but the victory keeps them at the top of the pile as the hectic Christmas period begins.

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