Watford’s match with Chelsea will now be refereed by Mike Dean, the Premier League has confirmed.
Craig Pawson was originally set to take charge of the visit of the Premier League champions to Vicarage Road.
It will be the first time Dean has taken charge of a Hornets game this season and he has not officiated Watford since a 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth in October 2016.
Dean does, however, have a history in the fixture, having been in charge as Watford held Chelsea to a goalless draw at the Vic in February 2016.
The same season saw him show Nordin Amrabat a red card in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham.
Dean has refereed 20 games this season, showing 73 yellow and two red cards.
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