CHELSEA equalised at St Mary’s through a Mason Mount penalty after Takumi Minamino’s opener.
But it was not enough to swing the momentum for the Blues all the way to three points.
Thomas Tuchel’s side remain three points behind Leicester and Manchester United ahead of them, but those two sides have a game in hand.
Stay up to date with all the latest from St Mary’s in out kick-by-kick blog…
AND THAT’S, THAT!
So in the tale of the two current streaks, one continues as the other one comes to an end.
Chelsea were determined to close the gap on the teams above them and they showed this through their dominance of possession.
All that was missing from them was a goal and you just had to witness Thomas Tuchel’s animated performance on the touchline to see how anxious he was.
But that anxiety quickly transformed into anger when Takumi Minamino put the Saints 1-0 up with the outside of his boot completely against the run of play.
Go check that goal out in the blog.
In all honesty, going a goal behind didn’t deter Chelsea because pressure makes diamonds and a clumsy challenge from Danny Ings resulted in an early second half penalty.
Which Mason Mount made no mistake in tucking home setting up a grand slam finish.
However Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team held on for a draw which ended his teams run of not picking up a single point since January.
As for Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, they remain undefeated since he took charge but the German has expressed that his team let this game slip.
Thank you for tuning in family, enjoy the rest of your weekend!
PLAYER RATINGS
Fancy having a look at what we scored the Chelsea players for their performances today?
CLICH HERE FOR THE PLAYER RATINGS
CURRENT LEAGUE STANDINGS
A point for Southampton doesn’t improve their league position but it is a step in the right direction for them.
As for the Blues, Chelsea will be gutted because they have missed out on the chance to leapfrog Leicester and close the gap on Manchester United.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Next for Chelsea is a trip to Spain where they take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
This could be Thomas Tuchel’s first major test.
TUCHEL TALKS
The Chelsea head coach spoke about where his team went wrong today and explained the logic behind taking off Callum Hudson-Odoi after only bring him on in the second half.
Tuchel said: “We had all chances and all possibilities to take another win and it would of been a deserved win but sometimes it’s like this.
“We were very very good for 80 meters of the pitch but the last 20, I was not happy.
“We were not decisive enough, we were not aggressive enough, we were not clinical enough to be ahead.
“I was not happy with the energy of and the attitude in counter pressing so we decided to take him [Hudson-Odoi] off again.”
The Chelsea boss added: “We demand a lot and we demand 100% and I had a feeling he was not right in this shape where he can help us.”
MINAMINO’S MOMENT
Takumi Minamino has scored more goals for Southampton (2) in five games than his time at Liverpool (1) where he made 19 appearances.
COOL AS A CUCUMBER
Here is Takumi Minamino’s goal that put the Saints in the lead.
Talk about composure, you could watch that all day.
WARD-PROWSE’S THOUGHTS
The Saints skipper discussing the bad run, their plan for this game and Minamino’s well taken finish.
Ward-Prowse said: “Every team goes through a difficult period in the season and we knew today was going to be tough against a very very good team rejuvenated under their new manager.
“We had to be solidly defensive and we did very well.
“It was a great finish and I was behind him urging him to take it I think on his second touch.
“He showed his quality and his class and finished it off very well after a good pass from Redders”. [Redmond]
FULL TIME STATS
Overall the Blues were dominant but Southampton managed to escape with a point to their name.
THE SPOILS ARE SHARED
Thomas Tuchel’s undefeated run goes on but he will feel that this game was two points dropped.
PEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THERE’S THE FULL TIME WHISTLE!
IT ENDS LEVEL AT ST.MARY’S
FT: SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
90+2. Southampton are moments away from ending this run which has been hanging over their heads for weeks.
Can they do it?
3 MINUTES OF ADDED TIME!
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
87. I’m convinced the Chelsea players are playing the wrong sport here.
This time it was Mount who couldn’t hit the target as he saw his long range effort fly over the bar.
EMBARRASSING
Not even Mason Mount could believe how poor that Reece James shot was.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
82. REECE OH REECE THAT WAS POOR SON!
Mount went on a mazy run before clipping it to the back post for Reece James.
But the right-wing back who is not known for his finishing leaned back and skied his shot way over the bar.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
80. Djanepo is back in the trenches again.
He skipped passed three Blue shirts before being brought down which has really summed up his game.
In the first half it was his two legs and now it’s his right arm.
It’s fair to say that the Malian will definitely be aching in the morning.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
77. Its a backs-to-the-wall job for Southampton at the moment because the Blues are sending wave after wave of attacks.
A point here would be so valuable for the Saints.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
75. You can certainly see the Chelsea boss’ intentions because he’s about to make a double change.
Jorginho comes on for Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech replaces Hudson-Odoi which everyone is confused about because the Englishman only came on after half-time.
He wasn’t pleased about that either.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
75. Last 15 minutes of the game plus stoppage time.
Will someone steal all three points?!
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
70. OFF THE CROSSBAR, MENDY WAS ROUTED TO THE SPOT!
Redmond put in a delightful ball right on the money for Vestergaard to attack but his glanced header came crashing off the bar.
Hearts were in mouths for everyone in the blue corner.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
67. An unforced error from Kovacic has just granted Southampton with a corner.
If Chelsea concede from this, Tuchel will not be happy that’s for sure.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
65. The away side were building up a good attack which looked quite threatening but Marcos Alonso tried a no-look pass and gave the ball away.
Looks good when they come off, but embarrassing when they don’t.
SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA
63. The Saints are starting to get more ahold of the ball but it is leaving them a little exposed at the back.
Ralph Hasenhuttl will be telling his players to be weary of that.
CLIMBING THE MOUNT-AIN
Mason Mount equalising for the Blues who just need one more to turn this game completely on it’s head.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
