Despite being under the cosh for large parts of the tie, an Olivier Giroud-powered Chelsea managed to turn a two goal deficit into a thrilling 3-2 win to break Southampton hearts at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.

Despite starting all their big guns, Antonio Conte’s men were off the pace as the first Premier League tie of Matchday 34 kicked off and paid the price when former Blues man Ryan Bertrand laid it on a plate for Dusan Tadic to stroke home in the 21st minute.

Advertisement

The Blues looked listless in attack and incapable of mustering a response, with the sides heading into the interval with the score reading 1-0 in favour of the hosts.

In fact, the West Londoners were counting their stars for having ended the first-half with 11 men on the pitch for Marcos Alonso’s ugly stamp on Shane Long had gone unnoticed by the match officials.

The relegation-threatened Saints would then seemingly ensure an invaluable three points for themselves when Jan Bednarek, on his first-ever Premier League start, arrived at the far-post to convert James Ward Prowse’s free-kick on the hour-mark.

A grim-faced Conte rung in the changes, sending on Olivier Giroud and Pedro for Alvaro Morata and Davide Zappacosta, respectively.

Don’t miss: PFA Player of the Year shortlist revealed

The burly Frenchman would reduce the deficit with 20 minutes left to play and Eden Hazard would level proceedings just five minutes later.

The momentum was then firmly in favour of the hosts and it would be super-sub Giroud, who would cap off a fine cameo with the winner 12 minutes from time to relieve some of the pressure off their beleaguered manager.

Chelsea’s first win in three attempts sees them close within seven points of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and while in theory they can still overtake the Lilywhites, it looks unlikely but the manner of their victory will no doubt lift some of the gloom that has descended on Stamford Bridge.

For Southampton, the situation is far more grim as despite a decent outing, they find themselves in 18th place, three points behind Crystal Palace with five games left in the season.

Should the Eagles beat struggling Watford later on Saturday, that gap will widen to a considerable six points and it looks like the Saints will have to pray for a miracle if they are to avoid going down.