Southampton 0 - 3 Chelsea : 3 talking points about the game | Premier League 2018/19

A win for the Blues would have taken them top of the league temporarily while for the Mark Hughes's men, it was a matter of improving their home form. The Saints had won only one of their last 14 games at St Mary's stadium.

Chelsea started the game on the front foot putting constant pressure on the Southampton box. The Saints had a hard time to get hold of the ball in the initial stages. Eden Hazard's effort blocked from close-range. Amidst all these, Danny Ings missed a sitter from three yards for Southampton much to the dismay of Mark Hughes.

But the inevitable happened when the ball fell to Eden Hazard who made no mistake to put the ball back of the net and score his seventh goal of the season. After the goal, Chelsea played a safe game controlling the ball and possession. The Blues failed to get that second goal, and both teams went into the break with Chelsea leading by a goal to nil.

The first chance of the second half fell to Ryan Bertrand who like Danny Ings skied the ball over the bar. Southampton had their best spell of the game with Ings hitting straight to Kepa. Against the run of play, Chelsea doubled their lead after Giroud crossed inside the six-yard box from a free kick allowing Barkley a simple tap-in for the second.

The last quarter of the game, the Saints went for it with Kepa making two stunning saves from Redmond and Ings. But the day rounded off with Morata finishing Saints off scoring the third goal for Chelsea and his second in two games. Again Eden Hazard with the assist. The game ended with Chelsea went top of the pile for the time being.

Here are the three talking points from the game:

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#3 Sensational Hazard

Hazard opened the scoring for the Blues.

Eden Hazard was Chelsea's best player on the pitch once again. The Belgian was a nightmare for Southampton's defense. His movement, passing, and dribbling coupled with his sudden change of pace inside the box kept the Saint's defense modest for 90 minutes.

Hazard opened the scoring for Chelsea in the first half from a Ross Barkley pass which he calmly put past the goalkeeper. He even provided the assist for Morata's goal. The winger is now Premier League top scorer in this campaign, and his form is a threatening sight for rest of the clubs in the league.

#2 Another home defeat for the Saints

Ings missed a great chance to score in the first half.

Southampton has one of the worst records at home in the Premier League winning just one of their last 15 league games including this one. Danny Ings missed a sitter in the first half to equalize for the Saints. Similarly, Ryan Bertrand skied a chance in the second half from Højbjerg's cross. Redmond made Kepa full off a great save late in the match.

Apart from that question would be raised of the team's work rate. Chelsea was dominant throughout the match, and it looked like a training ground session for most times for the Blues. Mark Hughes would be frustrated with his team eagerness to get the ball once they lose it. The fans would be hoping that the team can put up a great show at home and give them some joy in the upcoming fixtures.

#1 Unbeaten run continues under Sarri

Sarri is still unbeaten as a Chelsea manager.

Chelsea is still unbeaten under Maurizio Sarri in all competitions. The Italian had already instilled his philosophy among the players which is reflecting in their game. Despite the striker issues, the team also looks solid with Eden Hazard in sublime form.

There are arguments that the Blues had a very lenient fixture till now and real test would follow after the international break when Jose Mourinho will visit his former club with an act of revenge on the mind after the FA Cup final defeat last season. But for the time being, Chelsea are looking like a real title contender along with City and Liverpool.