Chelsea and Watford drew 2-2 in West London on Saturday.
Guus Hiddink returned to the Stamford Bridge hot-seat to oversee an improved attacking performance but was left to rue some defensive errors.
Diego Costa rediscovered his scoring touch with a lovely volley on the turn from close range to open the scoring in the 32nd minute before Watford hit back through Troy Deeney late in the first half.
The Hornets skipper sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way from the penalty spot after Nemanja Matic had handled in the area prior to the visitors taking the lead when Odion Ighalo netted his 13th league goal of the season with a deflected shot off Gary Cahill which extended his scoring run to five games.
Chelsea managed to level in the 66th minute when Willian supplied a defence-piercing ball for Costa who took a touch before finishing calmly beyond Heurelho Gomes.
The Blues then had the opportunity to win the match when Valon Behrami cut down Eden Hazard in the area but Oscar slipped at the penalty spot to send his spot-kick wide of the mark.
The draw saw the Blues edge up to 15th position as Quique Sanchez Flores' Watford remained seventh courtesy of a fifth match unbeaten.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Chelsea: 2 (Diego Costa 32'/65')
Watford: 2 (Troy Deeney (PEN) 42', Odion Ighalo 56')
Stamford Bridge, London - 41,630
TALKING POINTS
- Is there further improvement in Chelsea under Hiddink? Can they now put some results together and fire themselves back into the top half?
- Watford in top form despite their winning run ending. If Deeney and Ighalo keep scoring, will they trouble a top four or five finish?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Chelsea head to Manchester United on Monday night in what is a massive match for both clubs as Watford prepare to host fourth-placed Tottenham.
TWITTER INSIGHT
'Today I liked our intensity but we also have to look for a balance.' - Guus Hiddink: https://t.co/8Or5cOlAeRpic.twitter.com/xihoFmw96k
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 26, 2015IGHALO: "A deserved point" - #watfordfc striker reacts to today's 2-2 draw at Chelsea: https://t.co/zAtx8gwBY4pic.twitter.com/bjxhe5KlXD
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) December 26, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Hiddink on the performance of Chelseastriker Costa:
"His reaction was good, when he was booed he had a very good reaction as a professional.
"I think that made him think 'how should I go on?'. And he showed how he will go on today."
Watford boss Flores on the result:
"I'm completely satisfied.
"Chelsea were really motivated, very strong, very aggressive, so I am happy with the performance and really happy with the result.
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
6 - Troy Deeney has been directly involved in six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances (five goals, one assist). Buzzing.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 20155 - Odion Ighalo is the first Watford player to score in five successive top-flight games. Record.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2015