Chelsea 1-3 Southampton – Match Report

Chelsea’s torrid start to the campaign hit a new low on Saturday evening as they deservedly suffered a 1-3 defeat at home to Ronald Koeman’s hard working Southampton side.

There was a sense of optimism around Stamford Bridge as it was confirmed captain John Terry was reinstated to the starting lineup in place of Kurt Zouma.

Falcao made his first Premier League start for the Blues as Diego Costa sat out the last of his three-game domestic suspension, and Ramires played alongside Fabregas in midfield as Matic continued to struggle for form.

Chelsea’s encouraging start

Chelsea started well, appearing more eager and snappy as they won the ball back from the Saints quickly and hesitated less often in key areas of the pitch.

Mourinho’s side soon took the lead through yet another freekick from Willian, one of the few Chelsea players who continues to find any sort of form during their frustrating start to their title defence.

A goal up after 10 minutes and looking somewhat comfortable approaching the break, Steven Davis’ brilliant equaliser on the stroke of half-time was evidently a huge psychological blow for the champions.

Despite Chelsea’s relatively bright start (in comparison to what we’ve become used to), it would be hard to argue that the Saints didn’t deserve their equaliser and they could have perhaps had more, with their fans feeling aggrieved that two penalty shouts were turned away by referee Robert Madley.

Nemanja Matic would replace Ramires at half time, only to be substituted off again on 73 minutes – a side-plot that sums up Chelsea’s current situation nicely.

A shambolic second period

Chelsea’s defensive frailties, central to their shocking campaign thus far, surfaced again in the second half, with even the return of John Terry proving not enough to plug the second leakiest defence in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho was certain Chelsea should have had a penalty when Southampton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg bought down Radamel Falcao in the area, but the striker was instead booked for simulation.

A goal from Sadio Mane and a suckerpunch from Graziano Pelle finished the Blues off as the search for the root of the problem(s) continued within the Chelsea camp.

Chelsea’s lack of pace and commitment at the back was a constant worry yet again, with Mane proving a constant threat for Cahill and Terry, while Ivanovic was turned far too easily too often yet again.

Even at two goals down, the majority of the Blues passing was passive and non-penetrative, a failure which, among many others, should seriously concern Mourinho.

The result leaves Chelsea 16th in the table with just eight points from their opening eight games going into the international break next week and pressure on manager Jose Mourinho reportedly increasing with every disappointing result.

However, while the headlines will understandably focus on Chelsea, the players and the manager tomorrow morning, Southampton’s impressive performance away from home shouldn’t go unrecognised, particularly after going behind early on in the game.

Key stats

  • Jose Mourinho has lost five of his last 10 Premier League games. Before that he’d lost only five of the previous 59
  • Today is the first time Jose Mourinho has seen an away team score more than twice at Stamford Bridge in the league
  • Chelsea have conceded 15 league goals so far this term. They conceded 15 in the entirety of Mourinho’s first season in charge (2004/05)
  • Arsenal are the only team to play Chelsea in the Premier League this season & not score against them
  • Branislav Ivanović and John Terry failed to win a single tackle duel between them vs. Southampton
  • Only Sunderland (18) have conceded more league goals than Chelsea (17) so far this season

Source: Opta/Squawka

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