Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu scores on his home debut to help beat Chelsea

Barcelona waved goodbye to Gerard Deulofeu in January as he headed to the Premier League for a loan spell with Watford.

The winger made his home debut for the Hornets on Monday night as his side welcomed Chelsea, Barcelona’s Champions League last 16 opponents, to Vicarage Road.

And it was a pretty good night for Deulofeu as he helped Watford go ahead after winning a penalty when goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois brought him down in the area.

Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images

Although Eden Hazard equalised for 10-man Chelsea, the hosts quickly re-established their lead when Daryl Janmaat put them back in front almost immediately.

Deulofeu then ensured the three points were safe as he ran into the area and fired past Courtois to make it 3-1. Roberto Pereyra then added a fourth in stoppage time to put the icing on the cake for Watford.

It’s a damaging defeat for Chelsea, and particularly Conte, who is under real pressure at Stamford Bridge and faces a fight to finish in the top four this season.

The reigning Premier League champions face Barcelona in the first leg of their clash on the 20th February, but before then face a Premier League clash against bottom side Hull City and an FA Cup fifth round tie with Championship side Hull City.