HALF-TIME Chelsea 1 Southampton 0

A combination of good goalkeeping from Fraser Forster, last-gasp saves by the Saints rearguard, some poor finishing by the Blues and the upright, prevented the Blues from taking more of a lead against Southampton this afternoon.

The half-time score is 1-0 but it could and should have been four or five to Chelsea.

The opposition were content to sit back, play for time and when they did venture forwards on a counter-attack, they made sure they were back behind the ball as quick as possible.

But on nthe stroke of half-time, Hazard was fouled by Maya Yashida.

Up stepped Alonso to whisk a brilliantly curled, left-footer around the ball and beyond their grasp of Forster.