Jose Mourinho’s hopes of getting an immediate response from the mid-week European disappointment took a big hit, as Chelsea managed only a 1-1 draw with Southampton. Costa opened the scoring for Chelsea by heading a cross from Ivanovic on 11 minutes. But, just eight minutes later, Matic brought down Mane to gift a penalty for the Saints. From the spot, Tadic scored the equaliser. With no more goals, the match finished 1-1.
Let us look at the player ratings:
Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois – 7.5/10
The Belgian number one made string of fine saves. He was also unlucky not to save the equaliser, as the ball creeped into the goal despite, Courtois getting his leg on it.
Branislav Ivanovic – 6/10
Ivanovic was at the heart of many things on the night. It was from his inch perfect cross Chelsea got their opener. However he was caught out of position on few occasions and and got booked late on in the second half.
John Terry – 7/10
He looked solid at the back of Chelsea defence. He organised his area well. However, at times he struggled to keep up with Southampton’s pace.
Gary Cahil – 6/10
He was lucky to not concede a penalty for a handball from Tadic’s shot. Otherwise he formed a good partnership with Terry and looked decent at the back.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6/10
He looked solid in defence, but he offered little in attack. Not always right backs find it comfortable to play in the opposite flank and Sunday night was one such occasion for Azpilicueta.
Nemanja Matic – 5/10
He made a clumpsy tackle to concede a penalty to allow Southampton come back into the game. His tackiling was not at his usual best. In order to protect him from getting a second yellow card, Mourinho took him off early in the second period.
Cesc Fabregas – 5/10
The Spaniard was not at his usual best. His passing was not at his best and did not help his midfield partner Matic a lot while defending.
Oscar Dos Santos – 6.5/10
Just like Fabregas, he offered good support to his defenders, but hardly any noteworthy moment in the match. He however grew more into the game in the second half.
Willian – 7/10
The Brazilian looked a live wire for Chelsea throughout the game. Be it attack or defence, Willian supported his teammates both in attack and defence by tracking back his opponents.
Eden Hazard – 7/10
He was at the heart of many Chelsea attacks on the night. He linked up well with his teammates and regularly took on the opposing defenders. He played a crucial role in the opening goal.
Diego Costa – 7.5/10
He held his ground really well up front on his own. After scoring the opener, Costa always looked a threat in the air whenever the ball was popped into the box.
Substitutes
Ramires (53′) – 5/10
The Brazilian offered extra pace to their attack. He also supported his defence well. But, couldn’t make an impact in the game.
Juan Cuadrado (83′) – 5/10
He was brought on to add more pace, which he did. However his end product let him down. He missed a glorious chance in the end.
Loic Remy (82′) – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact
Southampton
Fraser Foster – 7/10
The English international was at the fault for the opening goal, as his failure to collect the cross from the six-yard box, allowed Chelsea to score. However, he made up for it by making an excellent save to deny Cuadrado in the end.
Nathaniel Clyne – 6/10
The English fullback supported his attackers well by surging forward when ever required. However, on Sunday his main task was to defend and he did that reasonably well.
Jose Fonte – 6.5/10
Except for his lack of positioning in the opening goal, the centrehalf was commendable in his area and cleared most of the balls Chelsea put in the box.
Toby Alderweireld – 7/10
He looked composed at the back. After forming good partnership with his centre-back partner, the Belgian looked composed on the ball.
Ryan Bertrand – 6/10
Just like his fullback partner, Bertrand’s priority was to defend more than attack and he did that reasonably well.
Victor Wanyama – 7/10
He sat in front of his centre-backs and offered great protection to them by regularly bullying Chelsea’s midfielders.
Morgan Schneiderlin – 7.5/10
Just like his midfield partner, he provided great protection for his defence. He also surged forward at every possible moment.
Dusan Tadic – 7.5/10
Tadic was a constant threat for Chelsea on the night. After missing a glorious chance early on, he made up for it by converting from the spot.
Steven Davis – 6/10
He offered good support to his attackers in the first half and defended well. However, he faded away in the second period.
Sadio Mane – 8/10
His pace was an added advantage for Saints during several counter attacks. He was a constant live wire in the attacking third and Chelsea defenders found it difficult to mark him. It was Mane who was brought down in the box, from which Tadic equalised.
Shane Long – 6/10
He did well on his own up front. Nothing special from the tall forward, however he closed down the opponents well.
Substitutes
James Ward-Prowse (71′) – 5/10
He offered fresh legs to help Southampton relieve some pressure off the back. However, he offered little in attack.
Duricic (71′) – 5/10
He supported his defenders well, but hardly made an impact in changing the games fortune.
Graziano Pelle (83′) – N/A
Hardly anytime to make an impact.
Image Courtesy: Dailymail