CHELSEA were humbled by Ralph Husenhuttl’s excellent Southampton side just four days after their brilliant win over Tottenham.
The 2-0 win the Blues enjoyed against their London rivals on Sunday looked to be young manager Frank Lampard’s coming-of-age party as he outfoxed former boss Jose Mourinho.
Frank Lampard switched formation in the second-half but his side conceded a secondCredit: Rex Features
But it was Mr Rabbit Hutch who got in the hen house and snatched all three points from the Champions League chasers.
Callum Hudson-Odoi gifted the visitors the opening goal, surrendering possession and a feigning injury to allow Michael Obafemi to notch.
And Antonio Rudiger and ‘keeper Kepa combined terribly to let Nathan Redmond put the tie beyond doubt with a lovely second.
Here is how Wally Downes Jr rated the Chelsea players…
KEPA ARRIZABALAGA 6
Had very little to do in the first half apart from pick the ball out of his net following Obafemi’s wonder strike.
Produced a fine second-half save when Nathan Redmond was clear through the first time but an elite keeper would have done more to the stop the second goal when the rapid forward lifted the ball up and over him, after poor defending.
The Spanish stopper should have made himself bigger and been far braver in committing to the challenge.
Kepa could only watch the ball roll into his goal after Nathan Redmond dinked it over him.Credit: Getty Images – Getty
ANTONIO RUDIGER 6
Showing no signs of hangover from the vile racist abuse he allegedly suffered against Tottenham on Sunday, the powerful German was fine in possession early on but caught, along with his other two centre-backs, napping for the opener.
And he was the last defender who could not stop Stuart Armstrong steaming down the right before poking the ball into Redmond for the second.
KURT ZOUMA 5
Athletic and powerful against a Saints side designed to pounce on the break.
But caught out for the goal that shocked his side and hooked at half-time.
FIKAYO TOMORI 5
Disappointing in possession, especially considering Saints were not pressuring Chelsea’s defence.
And did not do enough as the left-sided centre-back when Saints broke to score.
But his last-ditch touch definitely stopped a second-half Saints’ second when Che Adams was waiting to pounce on a Redmond cross before Tomori poked away.
CESAR AZPILICUETA 5
One decent first-half cross went begging and at least the goal did not come from the right-back’s flank.
The club captain did not seem to enjoy his role in midfield and looked much more of a defender than a midfielder.
JORGHINO 5
Looked lovely in the first 30 minutes of the game, prodding and poking at the Southampton defence but the goal stunned him and he went missing for the last 15 of the half.
Rarely saw the little playmaker in the second half as the game passed him by.
N’GOLO KANTE 6
It’s hard for such a brilliant destructive force to shine when the opposition is not trying to create through the middle.
Tried to affect the game going forward but Saints were too rigid early on and they only improved after the break.
EMERSON 6
Marcos Alonso was absent so his rival left-wing back a game and he failed to take the opportunity.
Got tangled up on the attack for Southampton’s opener, with Hudson-Odoi, and never had a chance at recovering.
If Alonso is fit in then, on this performance, he will regain his starting berth very quickly.
WILLIAN 6
It was going to take some extra special to improve on his two-goal Spurs haul and Saints were too clever to fall for his tricks early on.
None of his set-pieces or skills came off and the Southampton defence was too calculated to let him get in behind.
Hooked with a few minutes left after being brilliantly boxed in by Saints.
Callum Hudson-Odoi was hammered by his own fans over the first goalCredit: Reuters
CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI 6
Failed with a trick on the left touchline, pretended to be fouled and failed to track back before Obafemi notched. Had a couple of second-half chances but no joy. Hooked on 66 minutes.
Some Chelsea fans were particularly cruel about his contribution on social media.
TAMMY ABRAHAM 6
Absent in the first half and fluffed a cracking chance in the earliest moments of the second when he fired into the side netting when he should have shot across goal.
Should have done more with a late break but fluffed his lines again in a performance that might force Chelsea into the January transfer market for a proven finisher.
SUBS
MASON MOUNT 7
Was barely on the pitch 10 seconds after the break and he created a sitter for Abraham to blast wide and late left-foot shot drizzled painfully wide.
On target with a late free-kick but shot was comfortably saved before his manager revealed he had been struggling with illness in the build-up.
At least Lampard now knows he cannot afford to leave the young Englishman out when he is fully fit.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC 4
Thrown on with 25 minutes left and a mountain to climb, never threatened to turn things around
PEDRO 4
Four minutes to turn things around for a woeful Chelsea side? No way Pedro!
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
