Costa strikes late again as Conte masters old rival Mazzarri

Watford - Antonio Conte won the battle of two old Serie A adversaries as Chelsea came from behind to beat Walter Mazzarri's Watford 2-1 on Saturday thanks to Diego Costa's latest last-gasp winner.

Etienne Capoue put Watford ahead after 55 minutes with his second goal of the season, but Michy Batshuayi equalised in the 80th minute with his first goal for Chelsea, six minutes after coming off the bench, thanks to an error by Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

And Costa won it with three minutes to go at Vicarage Road after a fine pass from another substitute, Cesc Fabregas.

If Fabregas had a point to make after failing to make Conte's starting line-up for either of the first two matches, then he may consider it made, having also played a part in Batshuayi's equaliser.

Conte and Mazzarri - who had a frosty relationship when they managed Juventus and Napoli respectively in Italy - are animated performers in the technical area and not even some unseasonal rain put them off as they both spent most of the match on their feet.

But Conte won the battle in the end, even if a draw might have been a fairer result on the balance of play.

Watford paraded new signings Roberto Pereyra, a £13-million capture from Juventus, and Isaac Success before the match.

They and Younes Kaboul, who joined on Friday from Sunderland, may reflect that their extra quality might convert results such as this into better outcomes for their new team.

Jose Holebas had the first serious shot at goal after seven minutes, advancing from his left wing-back position to meet a diagonal pass with a low angled half-volley that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had to block with his feet.