Chelsea edged past Southampton, thanks to Marcos Alonso’s winner, to move level on points with second-placed Manchester United in the Premier League. Alonso’s low curling effort past Fraser Forster was just as special, with the Spaniard’s strike viciously swinging around the wall before creeping past the Saints keeper for his fourth goal of the season.
The first-half saw Southampton goalkeeper Forster stay increasingly busy; the England keeper stopping efforts from Alonso, Gary Cahill and N’Golo Kante. Eden Hazard thought he had doubled the Blues’ lead after the break, but Cesc Fabregas was flagged offside in the build-up.
Pedro hit the post and Fabregas shot wide as Southampton rode their luck at Stamford Bridge. Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino introduced top goalscorer Charlie Austin for the ineffective Manolo Gabbiadini in the 61st minute in an effort to awaken Southampton’s lethargic attack.
The move would have paid rich dividends had Austin taken just one of the three late chances. The visitors pressed late on but Thibaut Courtois was there to deny everything that came his way. Austin drew a save out of Courtois inside the final 15 minutes before the Saints striker flicked another effort wide five minutes from time as Chelsea held on for victory.
After his team’s demoralising 4-1 loss to Leicester in midweek, Pellegrino would have been satisfied with Southampton’s resilient first-half showing.
Conte’s men were frustrated by Forster’s wonderful work between the sticks but in the end, they won all the three points deservedly. The win moves us to level terms with second-place Manchester United, who play away at West Brom on Sunday.
After the final whistle, Chelsea’s official Twitter account posted a tweet to which our fanbase reacted very joyfully. This is how the fans reacted to the result:
Nice win today, happy that we picked up the three points.
Time to focus on the Quarterfinal of the Carabao Cup!!
— Lav (@LavCFC) December 16, 2017
Christ 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/fFoWilhxBi
— hamza iddir (@Ham_zamasu) December 16, 2017
*Suicide has been cancelled*
— A² (@DujonSZN) December 16, 2017
Mourinho out
— Roman Abramovich (@MrAbramovich_03) December 16, 2017
the result is the most important thing, and that’s the three points. Onto the next game. #UTC
— ConteTweets (@ConteTweetss) December 16, 2017
Good performance, 3points in the bag👏👏🙌
— Gracey (@grace1670) December 16, 2017
I’ve missed the actual Marcos Alonso.
Great to have you back @marcosalonso03— A’Azeez Olanrewaju (@MyNameIsLanray) December 16, 2017
3 point in bag now we put pressure on the Manchester clubs cmon Tottenham
— AlvaroMorata9AM (@Morata9Am) December 16, 2017
👍👏👍⚽️Congratulations everyone ❤️ we are blue ،#weareblue
— B L A C K HORSE 💛 (@black_horse2017) December 16, 2017
A decent performance..bakayoko is improving hope he gets consistent.
— Nick lagat (@nixonlagat0085) December 16, 2017
Fabregas is really magic! #cfc #CHESOU
— DE FELICE (@Mas_Peach) December 16, 2017
Thank God.
WE ARE CHELSEA⚽💙💪— Oscar (@MensahOscar) December 16, 2017
