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Southampton vs Chelsea: Premier League – Three Key Moments

By Joe Mcindoe

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Takumi Minamino of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on February 20, 2021 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Takumi Minamino of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on February 20, 2021 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) and Southampton’s Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (R) (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) and Southampton’s Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (R) (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Southampton hold off Chelsea to earn an important point at St Mary’s.

Takumi Minamino  Cooley gave Southampton the lead just after half an hour, before Mason Mount converted a second half penalty to level it up.

The result sees Saints move to 30 points and more significantly snap a six game losing streak in the Premier League.

SFC sit two points behind Leeds United, who are  in 12th. The two sides will meet at Elland Road on Tuesday night. The clash will go a long way to determining which half of the table both sides will finish this season.

Chelsea dominated the ball throughout the contest, but failed to consistently test Alex McCarthy. The first half saw Southampton defend well, but struggle to pass consistently, or retain the ball.

The breakthrough inevitably arrived, but not for the side that most neutral observers would’ve expected. Minamino converted the red and white’s only shot on target.

Despite only a single effort on target that doesn’t mean that Southampton didn’t have a chance to take all three points. The opposition will feel particularly disappointed they didn’t claim victory after being in the ascendancy for the majority of the match.

A good defensive display from Mohammed Salisu and tireless effort from Moussa Djenepo helped their side hold the line. The latter had to endure several crunching challenges, and was unafraid to get stuck in himself.

The Malian  showed an impressive mixture of technical skill and graft in  his best performance in a Saints shirt.

That having been said, here are the three key moments that impacted the course of Southampton 1 Chelsea 1.