Chelsea 0-0 Southampton: Saints battle to vital point with determined display
By Marc Walker
Southampton battled to a 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as a determined display saw them take a potentially crucial point.
The home side would have the clearest chances in the contest and a goal disallowed for offside, but strong performances from the Saints defence and Angus Gunn in particular saw Saints get a share of the spoils.
Ahead of the game, Ralph Hasenhuttl made no less than eight changes as players such as Danny Ings, Jannik Vestergaard and Cedric returned to the starting line-up.
A lively start to the game saw James Ward-Prowse fire well over from distance, whilst Angus Gunn was called into early action to deny Alvaro Morata’s header from a lofted ball over the Saints defence.
With fresh legs back in the side after a number of changes against Manchester City on Sunday, Saints were looking fairly bright; top scorer Danny Ings going close after 16 minutes as he met a cross from makeshift left-back Cedric.
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The visitors had kept Chelsea and – more importantly – Hazard quiet but Gunn had to spring into action to deny the Blues’ dangerman 10 minutes from half-time.
Again it was the ball over the top that caught Saints napping and the Belgian international controlled well before firing a stinging volley goalwards that was parried away very well.
Ralph Hasenhuttl would have been looking for his side to return to the dressing room at 0-0 and with something to build on in the second-half and would have been thankful to see Morata’s shot deflected narrowly wide just before the break.
The Italian found space to receive a pass and looked to bend the ball towards the far post but Yan Valery’s block diverted the ball just past the near post instead.
Saints stayed level until the end of the first period but would need to show a bit more attacking intent to give Chelsea anything to worry about at the back.
Although Danny Ings had to go off at the break to be replaced by Shane Long, Saints had the first shot in anger in the second-half.
Stuart Armstrong drove in from the left and got the ball onto his right foot before bending a shot in towards the far corner. The ball bounced in front of Kepa, forcing the Spaniard to turn wide for a corner.
Despite the ability that Chelsea had at their disposal, Saints were standing strong at the back.
They were thankful for a marginal offside call in their favour though as Morata put the ball in the net and thought he had got the all important winner for the home side.
With 12 minutes left, another big save from Angus Gunn the game goalless. Morata received a ball through from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and looked to shoot across goal and into the far corner, but the Saints keeper smothered his effort well.
Further pressure came from Chelsea in the final stages but they were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw; perhaps two points dropped in their eyes but a potentially crucial result for Saints in the long-term.