Late Barkley header helps Chelsea see off Watford as Hodgson bids farewell

Ross Barkley came off the bench to head in a late winner as Chelsea saw off Watford on the final day of the Premier League season and sent Roy Hodgson into retirement on the back of another defeat.

There was little on the line for either side ahead of kick-off, with Chelsea guaranteed third place - barring a defeat and a monumental goal difference swing by Tottenham - and Watford already consigned to the Championship.

That feeling was backed up by each team's starting line-ups, with Chelsea handing Saul Niguez a rare start and Kenedy being brought in for his first league start for the club in five years.

Roy Hodgson was also feeling generous, making six changes to the Watford side that was thrashed at home by Leicester last weekend.

It was Chelsea who started brighter, with Kenedy in particular looking keen to take his opportunity, and the Brazilian wing-back claimed the assist for the opening goal when his low cross from the left was turned home by an unmarked Kai Havertz (11).

The Blues have never lost at home to Watford in the Premier League and looked set to go on to dominate a side that had lost 26 of their 37 league games.

However, the hosts rarely threatened Daniel Bachmann's goal and it was the visitors who looked more like scoring as Thomas Tuchel's side went off the boil.

Edo Kayembe went close for the Hornets after errors from Reece James and Edouard Mendy, while the Chelsea goalkeeper had to make an impressive save early in the second half after Joao Pedro waltzed through the Blues' defence.

In truth, Chelsea's supporters seemed more concerned with events at the Etihad, where they greeted each Manchester City goal as if it was one of their own as they hoped to see Liverpool pipped to the title.

The home fans