1. Chelsea’s recent reputation may have affected Anthony Taylor’s decision
After watching replays, it was easy to sympathise with Cesc Fabregas for struggling to believe how he ended up getting booked for simulation when he should have won a penalty for Matt Targett’s foul on him.
Fabregas may have actually been fouled in this instance but referees do their homework before matches and Chelsea’s recent history is littered with simulation cases.
Steve Bruce accused Gary Cahill of diving in Chelsea’s win over Hull City a fortnight ago, a game in which Diego Costa and Willian were booked for simulation, while Sam Allardyce was equally critical of Branislav Ivanovic after his tumble against West Ham United on Boxing Day.
2. Southampton showed why they have the second best defensive record in the league
Southampton have conceded only 15 goals this season, which is a record only bettered by Chelsea. They showed why they are good defensively in this game with the way they recovered quickly as a team from Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle, who led the pressing up front.
Chelsea actually played well but they managed only one shot on target – when Eden Hazard scored – which is the lowest tally for the Blues this season. That was despite Chelsea enjoying more than 60 per cent possession because Southampton were full of willing runners and tacklers when out of possession.
3. Matt Targett’s brilliant defensive display follows up on a delightful trend in the league this season
Of all the young players that have been asked to step up for their teams in the league this season due to injuries or suspensions to regular players, most of them disappointed but not defenders. Kurt Zouma, Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett and Jores Okore are just a few examples of defenders who have produced reassuring performances after deputising at the back.
Targett followed suit in this game. The left-back, one of the teenagers from Southampton’s seemingly endless conveyor belt of young talent, slotted in so harmoniously that his direct opponent, Andre Schurrle, was substituted by Willian at half-time.
His first start for the Saints could have been ruined if the referee had awarded a penalty against him when he tripped Fabregas but that foul had less to do with a lack of experience and more with the slippery turf.
4. The Saints’ counter-attacks exposed Chelsea’s weakness at the back
Southampton repeatedly caused Chelsea problems with diagonal balls played in behind when the Blues held a high defensive line. John Terry mistakenly tried to play Sadio Mane offside for the opening goal and Shane Long was through on goal in the 87th minute when Chelsea’s captain played him onside as well.
Very few teams attempt to trouble Chelsea with a pacy midfield runners looking to run in behind their defence to get on the end of floated balls but the Saints showed in this game that such a threat could cause Jose Mourinho’s side serious problems.
5. Morgan Schneiderlin’s cynical foul striped him off the chance to impress his suitors
Southampton will welcome Arsenal on New Year’s Day and the Gunners are strongly linked with a move for Schneiderlin. Chances are he still wants to leave the Saints after his attempts to leave the club last summer failed.
The midfield enforcer will not have the chance to directly impress Arsene Wenger and his Gunners on Thursday after he received a second booking for chopping Eden Hazard down to thwart a promising Chelsea attack.
