5 Talking Points From Chelsea’s Stunning 3-2 Comeback Win vs Southampton
Chelsea came from two goals down to beat Southampton 3-2 at St. Mary’s on Saturday to leave the Saints just three points from safety.
Dusan Tadic and debutant Jan Bednarek gave Southampton a commanding 2-0 lead but with half an hour left, Chelsea coach Antonio Conte introduced Olivier Giroud and Pedro, which was the start of our comeback.
The Blues scored three times in the space of eight minutes, as Giroud netted an impressive brace with Eden Hazard scoring in between.
Here are the five talking points from the game.
Giroud kickstarts Chelsea career with Southampton fightback
With Chelsea trailing 2-0 and the game almost dead and buried, Giroud came in as a substitute at the hour mark and showed what he is actually capable of.
The Frenchman was an exccellent impact substitute for his former club Arsenal and on Saturday, he enhanced his reputation further by scoring two goals to help Chelsea to a memorable victory at Southampton.
Giroud scored a near-post header from Marcos Alonso’s exquisite cross to get Chelsea back before Hazard equalised five minutes later.
With Southampton struggling to cope with the pressure, Giroud seized the opportunity by pouncing on a loose ball to score the winner and send the away supporters crazy.
Chelsea’s top-four hopes still alive?
After a shaky start to the season, it was always going to be difficult for the reigning champions to finish in the top-four. It appeared as though the Blues would have to bid adieu to the chance of playing in the Champions League next season but yesterday’s incredible comeback gives us fresh hope.
With five games to go, Antonio Conte would want his team to play with the same vigour and energy until the end of the season and expect some favour from other teams.
Can Southampton survive the drop?
The first hour of the game showed that the Saints had a glimmer of hope to avoid the drop this season. The Saints passed the ball quickly, attacked the opposition when they had to and had goals to show for their hard work.
However, if a team fails to defend a two-goal lead with just half an hour left to play in front of their home fans, it is really difficult to survive in the Premier League.
The Saints now have five games to maintain Premier League status next season. The appointment of Mark Hughes has not helped their cause as this was his third Premier League game in charge that ended in a defeat.
Gloomy days ahead for the marching Saints.
Conte’s substitution worked wonders
With Chelsea awfully flat until the hour mark, Antonio Conte decided to shake off things by bringing on Olivier Giroud and Pedro after Southampton scored their second. The substitutions worked wonders.
Giroud made an instant impact by pulling one back for us, while Pedro brought direct running and guile to the attack which was lacking all game. Pedro’s introduction saw Hazard enjoy a free role and the Belgian scored the equaliser.
With Southampton reeling after conceding two, Giroud scored the winner, illustrating his strengths and proving why Conte wanted to sign him in the winter transfer window.
Maybe Morata needs a rest?
Alvaro Morata endured a frustrating afternoon, failing to threaten the Southampton defence. The Southampton defence dealt with the Spaniard so easily as after some point in the game, the Chelsea striker was not even visible.
Morata’s performance was flat, abject and he never looked like the player that he was at the start of the season for Chelsea.
The former Real Madrid ace clearly needs a break and it is high time Conte drops him for the next 2 games or so.
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