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Chelsea captain John Terry's long goodbye began with a goalless draw at Watford.
The Premier League champions maintain Terry could yet still be offered a contract extension, despite his claim after last Sunday's FA Cup win at MK Dons that there will be no 19th season and no fairytale ending.
The likelihood Chelsea will be playing European football next term receded further at Vicarage Road, despite Guus Hiddink extending his unbeaten run in caretaker charge to nine matches.
Five of Hiddink's seven Premier League games have been draws, including against Watford on Boxing Day, leaving the Blues 15 points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal.
Once again the Hornets tested Chelsea, but the visitors were denied victory when Diego Costa's 88th-minute header was kept out by Heurelho Gomes.
The visiting supporters made their feelings clear by repeatedly singing about captain Terry, on his 697th appearance, but their thoughts have fallen on deaf ears before.
Vocal supporter backing did little for Jose Mourinho, whose second spell came to an end in December.
But Terry can expect the fans to make their feelings clear to the club's hierarchy and owner Roman Abramovich in Sunday's clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
Scroll through the gallery to see the ratings:
Show all 24 1 /24Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings WATFORD: Huerelho Gomes - 9 out of 10 the goalkeeper’s No. 1 status has been in question following the arrival of Costel Pantilimon, but was strong on crosses and held his ground well when put under pressure by Costa. He then made a superb stop from Ivanovic and bravely denied Hazard and Costa late on - a fine performance.
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Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Juan Carlos Paredes - 6 out of 10 Eager to battle from the off, though he may be a little embarrassed to see replays of his dramatic reaction to Costa's shove. A decent display, but subbed off in the second half for Nyom.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Sebastian Prodl - 6 out of 10 Earned an early yellow for chopping down Oscar on the turn which limited what he could do defensively as the game wore on, but stood up well to Chelsea given his caution.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Craig Cathcart - 6 out of 10 Typically solid in the middle, but was caught out a couple of times by the strength and running of Costa.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Jose Holebas - 7 out of 10 The defender sent over a glorious cross from the left which Ighalo somehow failed to head in, though should have done better with a close-range effort just after half-time.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Valon Behrami - 6 out of 10 The Swiss winger loves to get forward at pace, but was pinned back a little with Chelsea's wing-backs.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Ben Watson - 7 out of 10 Industrious in the centre to combat the likes of Fabregas and Matic, and his runs caused Oscar to track back into his own half.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Etienne Capoue - 7 out of 10 The former Spurs man almost opened the scoring with a great first-half effort which Courtois blocked well.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Jose Manuel Jurado - 7 out of 10 The Spaniard could have won a first-half penalty with an enterprising run, and caused the Blues problems with his trickery in behind the two strikers. Replaced by Abdi just after the hour.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Troy Deeney - 7 out of 10 His partnership with Ighalo has been a key reason for Watford's success this season, though was restricted to chasing down Chelsea's defenders before the interval. Looked dangerous with a decent volley after the break.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Odion Ighalo - 6 out of 10 The Hornets’ top scorer this term pulled up with an early injury scare, but somehow contrived to miss an unmarked header from six yards midway through the first half. Lively throughout, but missing his usual cutting edge.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings FROM THE BENCH: Allan Nyom - 6 out of 10 Tasked with shoring up the defence after Paredes' earlier caution, though added an attacking outlet at times down the flank.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings CHELSEA: Thibaut Courtois - 7 out of 10 Chelsea's No 1 showed quick reflexes to smother up any early danger and then denied Capoue with a strong stop. A typically commanding performances from one of the game's best keepers.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Branislav Ivanovic - 6 out of 10 The Serbian was in danger of being axed at the end of the season, but showed why he has been handed a new deal until summer 2017 with a battling display under pressure. Holebas' cross and some wayward passing showed he is not at his best yet, but he is back to being a dependable option.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Kurt Zouma - 6 out of 10 The young Frenchman looks the future of Chelsea's defence, but was being overrun by Watford in the first half at times and his partnership with Terry doesn't seem a natural fit.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings John Terry - 6 out of 10 A big night for the club captain considering the recent drama over his future, but was lucky not to see his sloppy marking lead to an opener as Ighalo fluffed a sitter.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 out of 10 The dependable Spaniard was eager to get forward and press down the left at every opportunity, and relished the fight down the left flank without ever finding a killer pass or cross.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings John Obi Mikel - 7 out of 10 Enjoying something of a renaissance under Hiddink, the Nigerian was solid in defensive midfield and put in some timely blocks at set-pieces.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Nemanja Matic - 6 out of 10 His stock has fallen while Mikel's has risen, though the midfielder was solid enough until his withdrawal for Hazard as Hiddink chased a win.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Cesc Fabregas - 6 out of 10 The former Arsenal and Barcelona man seemed eager to make an impression as he regularly dropped deep to try and feed Costa, but his passing was wayward.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Oscar - 7 out of 10 Fresh from his superb hat-trick at MK Dons, the Brazilian was quiet in the opening stages before finding more space on the edge of the Hornets' penalty area. Tested Gomes with a fine drive as the game wore on.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Willian - 6 out of 10 The Brazilian was passed fit following scares over a bruised foot, but wasn't quite at his deadly best with a few miscued crosses.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings Diego Costa - 7 out of 10 The striker barely had a kick of the ball early on, but reminded Watford of his quality by almost opening the scoring with a great turn and volley which was blocked wide in the first half. He then collected a yellow for shoving Paredes, but almost set up Oscar in the second half and then forces Gomes into a stunning save.
Watford vs Chelsea - player ratings From the bench: Eden Hazard - 6 out of 10 Came on with 18 minutes to go and looked to stretch the back line as Chelsea went for the win, but his touch was heavy at the vital moment when he finally found an opening.
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