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League leaders Chelsea were held at the St. Mary’s after two contrasting halves from Southampton. After showing a lot of attacking intent in the first half, they were forced into their shell by Chelsea in the second.
Chelsea passed the ball really well, with Hazard and Fabregas showing some great skills, but never really threatened Fraser Foster’s goal. The fact that they had around 65% possession in the second half without having a single shot on target is a testament of their ineffective dominance.
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Oscar’s illness caused Mourinho to shift to the defensive form of his 4-2-3-1, with Mikel and Matic in midfield and Fabregas behind the striker. Schurrle came in for Willian, for just his fifth start of the season and the defensively concrete Cesar Azpilicueta was replaced by the more attacking Filipe Luis.
Mourinho was eloquent in his praise for Southampton before the match and that may have weighed on his mind when selecting the team.
Ronald Koeman’s pre-match conference suggested that Southampton wanted to express themselves against the league leaders.
Ryan Bertrand was ineligible to play against his parent club and Southampton missed the impressive Nathaniel Clyne at right back through injury again. The 19-year-old Matt Targett who got his first premier league start, came in for Bertrand and Yoshida filled in for Clyne. Dusan Tadic returned to the first team.
Player Ratings
GK – Thibaut Courtois, 7: Could do absolutely nothing about the looped finish from Mane. Southampton made a conscious attempt to direct set pieces away from him, yet he managed to pluck a couple out in mid-air. Except that had absolutely nothing to deal with.
CB – John Terry, 6.5: Got it terribly wrong when he tried to play Mane offside, which led to the goal. Was lucky to get a marginal call for offside in his favour when he tried to play Shane Long offside in the second half. That might be down to old weary legs, playing his third game in 6 days. Except that costly aberration he was his usual self – combated well with Pelle, was first to the ball stopping Fonte from tapping in after a good corner from Southampton.
CB – Cahill, 8.5: What a good defender does by tackling a great one does by positioning. Was hardly ever put in a spot of bother throughout the game. Was great to see the England international back at his best.
LB – Filipe Luis, 6: What he lacks in defence, he tries to make up in attack. Not that he is a bad defender on his own, it’s just that comparing him defensively to Azpilicueta makes him look even worse. That’s a testament to how good Azpilicueta has been. Yoshida and Mane got past him a couple of times and Mourinho generally plays Mikel along with Matic to cover-up for his attacking forays. Although he has a great understanding with Hazard on that left flank, his final delivery was disappointing. Generally, known for his crossing he let his team mates down on this occasion.
RB – Branislav Ivanovic, 6.5: Did not venture too far further in the first half, but was back to his swashbuckling self when Willian came on for Schurrle in the second half. But contrary to the previous match was found wanting with the final cross.
DM – Nemanja Matic, 7: Had an unusual first half when he gave the ball away a couple of times, had a wild shot/cross and picked up an unnecessary yellow card. Was back to his usual self for a large part of the second half until he decided to take the initiative to get the ball forward and gave away a silly corner.
DM – John Obi Mikel, 7: There is something about John Obi Mikel that does not fit in with this team. He is not exactly the best shielder of the back four, is not really assuring in possession or great with his distribution but he does just enough right to be selected or rather does not do enough wrong to be called to be dropped. But what he is, is a team man. Follows the word of the manager to the letter, just sitting in front of the back four.
CAM – Cesc Fabregas, 8: Started in the right position, but dropped a little too deep for a No. 10 as the game progressed. But probably, needed to fall back to pull the strings from midfield, with Mikel and Matic not being the most creative passers. Showed some lovely feet in the beginning of the game leaving the Saints’ defenders for dead. Picked up a customary assist for Hazards’ goal, could have had a penalty, when the young Targett slipped and tripped him. But was unluckily booked for diving instead.
RAM – Andre Schurrle, 6: He tirelessly makes runs behind the defence has good positioning in the box. But just doesn’t fit into that slot Willian has made his own. He willingly runs to fulfil his defensive duties but lacks that defensive mindset. Attackingly, he does not seem to be on the same wavelength as the rest of the team. Was correctly substituted by Mourinho at half time.
LAM – Eden Hazard, 9: Southampton made a great attempt at stifling the Chelsea wizard in the first half, but as it is with great players, they make you regret the small mistakes. Yoshida was just caught ball watching for a moment, when Hazard burst in past him to receive Fabregas’ pass. Dropping his shoulder and cutting in past two defenders sublimely put the ball out of Forsters’ reach. Classic Hazard. Was a nightmare for the defence in the second half but could not deliver the final goods.
ST – Diego Costa, 7: How hard does this guy work? Did not look even for a moment like this was his 3rd game in 6 days. The Saints’ defenders did not give him an inch of space to shoot. But not having a single shot on goal throughout the match does not speak well of any centre forward. Should have just taken a shot and looked for a deflection, instead of searching for the clear chance.
Substitutes:
RAM – Wilian, 7: Came on for Schurrle after the first half. He knows his role in the Chelsea formation. His work rate and tireless running allows Ivanovic to get further ahead. His passing and chemistry with his team mates is certainly a grade higher than the German World Cup winner.
ST – Didier Drogba: Came on for Mikel, to provide that thrust for the winner. Controlled an aerial ball from Fabregas brilliantly but was unable to put it into the path of Costa. Was inches away from turning the ball in after some dazzling footwork from Hazard.
ST – Loic Remy: Came on for Diego Costa in the 90th minute, and hardly got a touch of the ball.
NOTE: Drogba and Remy did not have spend enough time on the field to be judged
