Hiddink praises Costa after Chelsea draw

Guus Hiddink was unable to mark his return back to Chelsea with a victory after his side could manage only a 2-2 draw against Watford at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.

The Dutchman, brought in as Jose Mourinho’s replacement for the remainder of the season, began his second spell at the Stamford Bridge helm with a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Saturday.

“But he is now out with a fifth booking so we have to think how to solve that problem”.

“Hiddink is an incredible coach”, he said.

“Costa’s performances are improving”. “I can complain a lot…but that’s not my nature, we have to go on and find a solution as soon as possible, but it’s a setback”.

“United were first, second, and they’re now in a hard period – but they have to react for themselves. I can’t comment on another manager’s position”, Hiddink said.

Hiddink had told the former Atletico Madrid striker to channel his emotions in the right way if Chelsea are to salvage something from the wreckage of this season.

“In Holland, Memphis Depay was a star player at a young age”, he said.

“He has this talent but he’s also now having a confrontation with the demands of the Premier League, which are much higher in intensity of the game during 90 minutes. Those guys, they need a bit the cover of experienced players”.

“We wanted to win today”.

Hiddink’s side, though, could have claimed all three points had Oscar not failed to convert a late penalty.

“It’s a pity and a setback”.

“But you have to analyse the whole game and Watford deserve great respect for the way they played tactically and they have great strikers”.

“We had a penalty which we didn’t score, we were unlucky”.

In other games, Leicester lost 1-0 at Anfield, their first away defeat of the campaign, with Christian Benteke sliding home a 63rd-minute victor after coming on to replace the injured Divock Origi before half-time.

But a week later, Hiddink believes the players have gone some way to winning back the crowd in the second match.

“They (the players) must take the initiative to get the crowd back, which they did. And they did, especially when we went behind”, Hiddink said.

“They needed to show the crowd what they are willing to do and when they show ambition the crowd reacts positively”.

The point earned moves high-flying Watford seventh in the table, only three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

“We have to cope with that but we will be ready I am sure”.

“Some players are even angry with the draw because we had opportunities”.