Chelsea leave Southampton facing relegation with stunning three-goal comeback
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ByEurosport
Updated 14/04/2018 at 16:51 GMT
Premier League, St Mary’s – Southampton 2, Chelsea 3
Chelsea's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring their third goal with team mates
Image credit: Reuters
Chelsea came from two goals down to beat Southampton at St Mary’s to leave the Saints three points from safety.
The visitors dominated possession from the outset, but afforded the Saints plenty of space to operate on the break.
Ryan Bertrand took advantage of the lack of pressure when he picked up the ball in his own half and charged down the left, evading Cesar Azpilicueta’s advances as he broke into the box. Bertrand stayed strong to cut the ball back for Tadic to tap in a simple left-footed finish from eight yards. It was the Serbian’s first since Boxing Day.
The visitors failed to register a shot on target in the first half and were lucky to start the second with eleven players: Mike Dean failed to penalise Andres Christensen for a stamp to the back of Shane Long’s calf shortly before the interval.
The home side doubled their advantage when James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick found Jan Bednarek at the far post. The Polish defender, making his Premier League debut, was under little pressure as he side-footed past Thibaut Courtois.
Chelsea began their impressive comeback when substitute Giroud connected with a Marcos Alonso cross to head past Alex McCarthy.
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Olivier Giroud
Image credit: Getty Images
Five minutes later, Eden Hazard levelled the scoreline when Willian found him in space in the middle of the Southampton box. The Belgian controlled the cross superbly with his right foot, before dispatching a left-footed strike past McCarthy.
Southampton, who had been in complete control of the game until they initially conceded, then watched as Chelsea scored their third goal in nine minutes. As the Saints failed to deal with a Hazard cross, Giroud half-volleyed the winner through a crowd of players in the box.
Mark Hughes' side, who face Chelsea once again in the FA Cup semi-finals next week, squandered their chance to exit the relegation zone. Chelsea, meanwhile, moved to within seven points of Tottenham in fourth place.
TALKING POINT: Can Southampton survive the drop?
For much of this game—and last week’s loss at Arsenal to the same scoreline—Southampton looked impressive.
They now have five games to maintain Premier League status next season. However, with just one win in their last 19, it seems like the necessary upturn in results might be beyond their reach.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Olivier Giroud
The Frenchman came off the bench when his side were 2-0 down. Twenty minutes later, his side were 3-2 up, thanks in large part to his brace. A game-changing performance from the Premier League’s pre-eminent impact substitute.
PLAYER RATINGS
Southampton
McCarthy 6, Cédric 6, Bednarek 7, Hoedt 7, Yoshida 6, Bertrand 8, Romeu 7, Ward-Prowse 7, Tadić 8, Højbjerg 7, Long 7.
Subs: Sims 7, Austin 6, Gabbiadini 5.
McCarthy 6, Cédric 6, Bednarek 7, Hoedt 7, Yoshida 6, Bertrand 8, Romeu 7, Ward-Prowse 7, Tadić 8, Højbjerg 7, Long 7.
Subs: Sims 7, Austin 6, Gabbiadini 5.
Chelsea
Courtois 7, Azpilicueta 7, Christensen 7, Cahill 6, Zappacosta 6, Kante 6, Fabregas 6, Alonso 7, Willian 8, Morata 6, Hazard 8.
Subs: Moses 6, Pedro 6, Giroud 8.
Courtois 7, Azpilicueta 7, Christensen 7, Cahill 6, Zappacosta 6, Kante 6, Fabregas 6, Alonso 7, Willian 8, Morata 6, Hazard 8.
Subs: Moses 6, Pedro 6, Giroud 8.
KEY MOMENTS
21 - GOAL! Bertrand charges down the left wing, beats Azpilicueta and breaks into the box. He slides a pass to Tadic, who dispatches a simple left-footed finish along the floor from six yards!
44 - Christensen goes into the back of Long's calf. It's an awful challenge, but play continues. Ward-Prowse sees yellow for protesting when play stops. That's a red-card challenge that Christensen gets away with.
60 - GOAL! Ward-Prowse swings in a free kick from 35 yards out, on the right. It falls at the back post to Bednarek, who side-foots it past Courtois! On his Premier League debut, no less!
70 - GOAL! Chelsea have one back! Alonso swings in a cross from the left and Giroud gets between Yoshida and Hoedt to nod it into the net. A superb header!
75 - GOAL! Eden Hazard equalises! Willian cuts a low cross back to the Belgian, who has plenty of space just in front of the penalty spot. He cushions the cross with his right and finishes brilliantly with his left!
78 - GOAL! What a turnaround from Chelsea! Willian plays a free kick on the edge of the box to Hazard, who launches it towards goal. It lands at Giroud's feet and the Frenchman half-volleys it home!
KEY STATS
- Southampton are winless in their last nine home league matches (D5, L4) and have only one league victory in their last 19 outings.
- Chelsea have conceded in each of their last nine games across all competitions.
- Olivier Giroud has scored in four of his last five visits to St. Mary’s.
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