CHELSEA were stunned at Stamford Bridge once again as Southampton beat the Blues 2-0 on the road.
Coming into the clash off the back of a masterclass at Tottenham, Frank Lampard could probably barely recognise the men struggling to put an attack together.
Chelsea suffered their sixth defeat in the league as Southampton stunned the BluesCredit: PA:Empics Sport
With a trip to the Emirates in just three days, Chelsea have serious questions to answer as their lack of consistency could cost them Champions League qualification.
The trouble began for the hosts on the half hour mark as winger Callum Hudson-Odoi was dispossessed and Saints midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg picked up the ball.
Danish international Hojbjerg slipped it through to Michael Obafemi who drove at the Blues backline, came in on his left foot and fired into the top corner.
The sublime strike stunned the Blues and later encouraged Lampard, sensing a lack of creativity, to switch formations for the second-half.
As the second 45 kicked off, playmaker Mason Mount was introduced, with centre-back Kurt Zouma making way for Chelsea to switch to a 4-2-3-1.
Mount, chucked in as a No10, was right away in the thick of it as his creativity put through Tammy Abraham, who at an angle smashed the ball into the side netting.
But the good start was almost cancelled out right away as Nathan Redmond broke away on the left wing, before putting a ball across the Chelsea box.
Callum Hudson-Odoi lost the ball before the Saints opening goalCredit: AFP or licensors
Michael Obafemi drove at the Blues backline, came in on his left foot and fired into the top cornerCredit: Reuters
Outstretched, Fikayo Tomori desperately poked the ball just out of the path of an oncoming Che Adams, who could smell a second for the visitors.
On the hour mark it was Chelsea’s turn to see a promising ball into a dangerous area come to nothing, as Willian slipped in his skipper Cesar Azpilicueta, but the Spaniard’s cut back was cleared.
As the frustration grew around the ground again Ralph Hasenhuttl saw a golden chance for his side to double their lead squandered.
Not for the first time Redmond broke free and was faced with Kepa Arrizabalaga, but the Blues No1 stood tall and made a vital block, albeit from a weak finish.
As Chelsea pushed for a leveller, and committed more bodies forward, their punishment for gambling was devastating.
With the Blues left side exposed the Saints put together a beautiful sequence of passes that saw James Ward-Prowse flick past Antonio Rudiger, and cross into Redmond.
As Kepa rushed out to the feet of the winger, Redmond lifted the ball over the Spaniard and put Southampton 2-0 up.
Nathan Redmond flicked over Kepa to put Southampton 2-0 aheadCredit: Reuters
The Saints celebrate as they doubled their lead at the BridgeCredit: PA:Empics Sport
The Saints kept a tight backline and despite threats from forceful Chelsea attacks, the visitors remained organised and were too tough to break down.
As the final whistle sounded Lampard was condemned to a SEVENTH league loss, and has lost major momentum going into the Arsenal visit.
It is the first time Chelsea have lost on Boxing Day for 15 years, and have now been beaten three times at home this term.
Frank Lampard switched formation in the second-halfCredit: Rex Features
Ralph Hasenhuttl got the tactics all right at Stamford BridgeCredit: Reuters
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
