Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores was delighted to leave Stamford Bridge with a 2-2 Boxing Day draw against a charged-up Chelsea side.
The Blues were eager to impress in their first match under newly-installed boss Guus Hiddink, who is back at Stamford Bridge for a second spell.
However, having fallen 1-0 behind, Watford responded with goals from their irrepressible strike duo Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo.
They were hauled back by a second Diego Costa goal and ended up grateful for a point as Oscar missed a penalty.
But Sanchez Flores felt his side deserved plenty of credit for their contribution to an extremely entertaining encounter.
"It was a very spectacular match for the fans, very quick, attempts on both goals," said the Watford boss.
"Chelsea have very good players and were really motivated for this match, so for us it was difficult to play, but I am very pleased with the performance of the players and really happy with the result.
"You always worry about such a situation, the opposing players want to show the new manager they should be in the first XI.
"It was very difficult to keep the ball in the first half but we had two or three chances in the second half.
"We always have the possibility to score and create attempts. I am completely satisfied."
Sanchez Flores played under Hiddink for Valencia and enjoyed pitting his wits against his former boss.
"Hiddink is an amazing coach," he said.
"It was funny being in the dugout next to him. In the second half he told [Branislav] Ivanovic - who played in my position - to do something and then said 'but not like Sanchez Flores!'
"I think for Chelsea the change, bringing on [sub Jon Obi] Mikel [at half-time] was very good. Hiddink is a clever man and realised the change he had to do."