Southampton 2-3 Chelsea: Blues complete eight-minute comeback as Saints lose
By Chris Hughes
Despite leading 2-0 as the hour mark passed, Southampton slumped to yet another disappointing defeat after Chelsea completed the comeback to win 3-2.
There was an air of confidence around St. Mary’s prior to kick-off, with the Blues struggling for consistent form in 2018 having slipped out of the Champions League places.
Goals from Dusan Tadic and Jan Bednarek either side of half-time gave the home side what felt like a comfortable lead, having limited Chelsea to no shots on target in the first 45.
However following the introduction of Olivier Giroud the game was flipped, with the Frenchman grabbing a brace whilst Eden Hazard also scored an emphatic finish to complete an eight-minute turnaround from Antonio Conte’s side.
The comeback was a bitter pill to swallow from a Southampton perspective, especially as Marcos Alonso should’ve realistically been sent off for a high challenge on Shane Long in the first half.
The result means the Saints remain three points off the pace in their bid for survival, with Crystal Palace facing Brighton at 3:00PM today. If the Eagles are victorious over the Seagulls, then Southampton would be four points adrift of safety.
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The Saints came out with intent and before half hour took the lead with a classy goal. Ryan Bertrand broke away off a superb through ball, with his determination and skill allowing him to outmuscle Davide Zappacosta, work his way into the box, and calmly find Dusan Tadic who slotted home.
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After half-time the Saints remained on top, pressing the Chelsea midfield well and eventually drawing a foul some 40 yards from goal. James Ward-Prowse delivered a teasing cross which found Premier League debutant Jan Bednarek at the far post, with the Polish defender calmly volleying home.
Not long after the hour mark Conte brought on the aforementioned Giroud, a striker who has been a thorn in the Saints’ side as of late. The Frenchman duly delivered, latching onto a deep cross a smartly headering home. Eight minutes later he had his second when a loose ball fell his way from a set-piece, but not before Willian had smartly found an open Eden Hazard in the box three minutes prior – Chelsea went on to hold their one-goal advantage until full-time.
The Saints have to face the Blues again in exactly a week in the FA Cup semi-finals, but before that they face Claude Puel’s Leicester side on Thursday, hoping to avenge their 4-1 thrashing in the reverse leg earlier this campaign.