Chelsea drop two points at St Mary's
Chelsea drew 1-1 with Southampton at St Mary's this afternoon and on the overall play deserved all three points. But for the Referee, Chelsea would have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League tonight after Manchester City were held to a draw by Burnley.
Anyone who watched that game this afternoon might agree that the tackle on Cesc Fabregas was a 100% stonewall penalty! How Fabregas got booked for a dive I will never know! Some people will point the finger at Gary Cahill's recent dive at home to Hull and state that maybe a reputation proceeds us but to that I say "Bollocks!" What is the point of having Assistant Referee's if they fail to do their job!
Southampton to their credit had a great opening fifteen minutes to the game and caused us problems. I have no complaints about their goal. Some great interplay opened Chelsea's back line up and Mane found himself one-on-one, through on goal and calmly flicked the ball past Courtois to make it 1-0.
However, to Chelsea's credit we woke up and took the game to the home side causing them all sorts of problems all afternoon. Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas bossed the game and carved the home side open but without that killer pass or final shot. Southampton cleared or blocked time and time again.
Then, in the latter stages of the first half yet another sublime pass from Cesc Fabregas found Hazard wide left. He moves towards the edge of the box, comes inside and avoids two challenges before rifling home a low drive into the far corner to make it 1-1. It was the least we deserved at half time.
The second half was a different story. Willian came on to replace the ineffective Schurrle and Chelsea picked up where they left off. To say that Southampton were literally camped inside their own half for the forty-five minutes that followed would be an understatement.
Once again Fabregas and Hazard passed and probed Southampton but the home side stood firm. When we did create openings we lacked that finish, that final ball and Southampton were defending for their lives.
Then came the moment that has Jose Mourinho fuming this evening. Fabregas picks the ball up and cuts inside the box from wide right. As he touches the ball past the defender, the defender clips his trailing leg; Fabregas goes down and he is booked - total disgrace as Fabregas waves his arms claiming the booking he receives is "unbelievable!".
Chelsea continue to press and probe Southampton and Didier Drogba on for Mikel can't connect to not one but TWO drilled crosses from Eden Hazard to deny us the three points.
After a dodgy start, it was a good performance from the Blues bearing in mind we played two days ago. The good thing is that City also drew so we remain three points clear at the top of the league.
If only that penalty was given!