Chelsea battled back from a goal down to beat Southampton 2-1 at St Mary's Stadium, courtesy of late goals from Cesc Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic.
Shane Long had earlier fired the Saints in front, but the visitors showed real character by hitting back and climbing up to 11th place in the Premier League table in the process.
Fabregas's goal, which appeared to be more of a cross than a shot, also ensured that Fraser Forster's impressive run of 708 minutes without conceding came to an end.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded on the South Coast with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium. The Saints can climb up to fifth place with a victory on home soil this afternoon, having won five of their last six league outings to drag themselves back into European contention.
It has been an improvement of sorts for the visitors of late, meanwhile, thanks to an upturn in fortunes under stand-in boss Guus Hiddink who has guided the West London outfit up to 12th place on the back of a decent unbeaten run since taking charge in December. Chelsea could find themselves in the top half of the table come full time this evening should results go their way.
TEAM NEWS!
SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Targett; Long, Romeu, Davis, Clasie, Bertrand; Austin
CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Rahman; Mikel, Fabregas; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Costa
The big news from the home side's perspective is a first start for January signing Charlie Austin. The former Queens Park Rangers striker has already found the net for his new club since joining last month, but he now has a chance to impress from the off this afternoon. Austin comes into the side in one of two changes from last time out, with Cedric Soares the other inclusion.
James Ward-Prowse and Graziano Pelle are the men to make way for the Saints, as manager Ronald Koeman largely keeps things the same following a two-week break for his side. That hiatus from the league may just help Southampton at this vital time of the season, against a Chelsea side perhaps feeling the strain from a hectic fortnight battling on two fronts.
In terms of the visiting side, it is as you were from last time out as Guus Hiddink sticks with the same XI that put five past Manchester City last weekend. That means a chance for Diego Costa to continue his recent impressive form in front of goal, having scored seven in his last eight league appearances. Pedro, Willian and a still far-from-his-best Eden Hazard offer the attacking support this afternoon in midfield.
John Terry's 700th Blues appearance will have to wait for another few days at least, as he misses out on the squad altogether due to a hamstring injury. Southampton are a side that simply love getting the ball into the box from wide positions, so it will likely be a big afternoon for Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic who link up in the heart of defence once more at St Mary's.
BENCH WATCH!
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Stekelenburg, Yoshida, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Mane, Tadic, Pelle
CHELSEA SUBS: Begovic, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Oscar, Traore, Remy
So Ward-Prowse and Pelle both drop down to the bench for this afternoon's clash, while Victor Wanyama misses out on the matchday squad altogether as he sits out the second of his five-match ban. Florin Gardos and Jay Rodriguez are both on the comeback trail following their injury layoffs, meanwhile, but neither will be involved in today's match as expected.
Somewhat frustratingly for Chelsea supporters, Alexandre Pato misses out on the 18-man squad yet again this afternoon despite being in attendance on the South Coast. With Terry still absent through a hamstring problem, the Blues continue to lack any real options at the back should either Cahill or Ivanovic limp off. Oscar and Loic Remy are among the back-up options for the visitors this afternoon as they aim to climb into the top half of the Premier League.
Charlie Austin has already found the net for Southampton since joining the club from Queens Park Rangers in the winter transfer window, but he is handed his first start for the Saints this afternoon. The Englishman comes in as one of two changes from last time out, while the visitors remain unchanged from their 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend.
The League Cup final may take priority this weekend in the English football calendar, but this contest on the South Coast could provide us with just as much entertaining as that Wembley showdown in a little over 24 hours' time. Both teams have something left to fight for this term, although in Chelsea's case their aim of securing back-to-back league crowns has long been over. For them, simply securing a place in the top half could prove to be a major challenge in itself.
Chelsea find themselves occupying 12th place in the league table, now just three points off 10th heading into the final months of what has largely been a campaign to forget. Eight points remains the gap between themselves and a place in next season's Europa League, which is also the target set by Saints boss Ronald Koeman. If these sides are indeed going to fight it out for sixth place, then the outcome of this contest could prove to be vital in the long run. Southampton, you have to say, are the real favourites to claim that European berth.
Not since August have Chelsea been in the top half of the table, but their woes have shown real signs of coming to an end of late thanks to the work of Guus Hiddink. The Dutchman will not be in charge come next season, but a decision on who will replace him at the Stamford Bridge helm - likely to be Antonio Conte - has yet to have been made. Their league position may be poor by their high standards, yet this is still a club that a number of big-name coaches will no doubt jump at the chance to manage.
A narrow defeat to Paris Saint-Germain a little under two weeks ago has ensured that Chelsea's European hopes this term remain well in the balance, while last week's impressive win over Man City also keeps the door open for some domestic success comes May. Everton provide the Blues' opposition in the next round, meaning the Premier League perhaps takes a back seat for the time being in terms of the West London outfit's priorities.
In the league it is now 10 games without defeat since the axing of Jose Mourinho in December, with Hiddink incredibly losing just one of his 22 league games at the Stamford Bridge helm across two caretaker spells. The Dutchman is much loved around these parts, but it has been made quite clear that this is very much a short-term position, with Conte the frontrunner to succeed him at the end of the season. How he would love to sign off from his return to English football with a trophy.
One criticism of an improved Chelsea side has been the failure to string together any sort of momentum in the top flight. They have yet to win back-to-back league games all season, but they have a chance to change that today thanks to another 5-1 triumph a few weeks back, this time at home to Newcastle United. A run of victories now, with Norwich and Stoke next up, will put the Blues right back into contention for a top-six finish.
Should Hiddink's men miss out on the top six, it will be the first time in 20 years that they have done so. Consistency is not something that Chelsea usually lack, but their worst ever start to a season left them closer to the relegation zone than the top half when the experienced boss was placed in charge. Today presents another tough task for the Londoners, yet if they plan on getting anything you feel that they will have to improve on a scoring run that has seen them net just 12 goals in their 12 away fixtures to date.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Southampton are unbeaten in their last three games against Chelsea, though two of those games did end in a stalemate. The Saints certainly boast an impressive recent record against their opponents on the whole, having lost just two of the last seven. It should be mentioned that the Blues have actually lost just once on their seven visits to this ground, however, so they will feel confident of picking up maximum points this afternoon.
Guus Hiddink deserves huge credit for the work he has achieved since taking over from Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge in December. The Dutchman has lost just one of 22 Premier League games in charge of the Blues across two spells at the helm, while defeat to PSG a fortnight ago marked his first loss on this second coming to Stamford Bridge. More wins are required, though, having still yet to win back-to-back games all term in the top flight.
Southampton head into today's game sitting nicely in seventh place, though a victory for West Ham United over Sunderland in the early kickoff leaves the Saints needing a win if they are to climb up to fifth. With Manchester United slipping up by the week and the top four seemingly just about of reach, there will be a real battle - Chelsea included - for that Europa League berth over the coming weeks and months.
Five wins in their last six games has lifted the Saints right back into contention in the top third of the division, having struggled for large parts to initially build on last season's success. The nadir came earlier this year when a run of one win in 10 - losing eight of those - left them seemingly at a crossroads under Koeman. The Dutchman's job was never in doubt, though, and he has once more pulled off a superb job on the South Coast.
There is no denying that much of Southampton's upturn in fortunes is down to the return of Fraser Forster between the sticks. The England hopeful has yet to concede since returning to the fold, going some nine hours and 14 minutes without conceding a goal now. With European and domestic cup commitments over for another season, all attention is solely on finishing higher than last season.
Ronald Koeman admitted after the 1-0 win over Swansea City a fortnight ago that fourth place is not completely out of the question, and with games against Bournemouth, Sunderland and Stoke to come, you feel that the Dutchman's comments are certainly justified. This really is an incredible top-flight season - best summed up by opponents Chelsea's plight - so making a late surge for a Champions League place should not be written off entirely just yet.
DID YOU KNOW? Southampton have won four league games on the bounce at St Mary's Stadium, while their overall recent record reads played six, won five and drawn one - a well-earned goalless stalemate with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The Saints have also scored more headed goals than any other team in the top flight this term, a statistic that will surely only be added to with the inclusion of Charlie Austin up top.
Incidentally, the last goal Forster conceded came against Chelsea in a 1-1 draw in March. A long-term layoff looked to have dented his hopes of earning a seat on the plane to France in the summer, but Roy Hodgson must surely be considering the ex-Celtic stopper for a starting spot as the rivalry with Joe Hart steps up another notch or two. Another clean sheet today, taking his shutout record beyond the 10-hour mark, will only enhance his pedigree.
With kickoff now less than 10 minutes away, let us quickly get the thoughts from both camps heading into this Premier League showdown at St Mary's Stadium.
Ronald Koeman: "Guus showed me when I was a player in PSV in detail what you need to play on a high level. I always had a good understanding with him. I am looking forward to seeing him on Saturday."
Guus Hiddink: "After a little setback they have regained their confidence in recent games. They can maintain their clean sheet, but also they can play and surprise their opponent. They have a mix of young players but also players who know the game. That makes them very dangerous."
So Hiddink rightly expecting a tough test for his side on the South Coast this afternoon, against a Southampton outfit boasting an imperious defensive record of late. Koeman has talked this week about learning from his opposite number in the dugout, but the compatriots will give their all to earn maximum points in what should be a well-fought battle.
PREDICTION! The absence of Victor Wanyama could play a big part in this content but, while Chelsea have scored goals for fun in recent matches, Southampton look incredibly strong at the back as highlighted by their nine-hour run without conceding. Goals aplenty would be welcome on the South Coast, though I am expecting this one to end as a goalless draw.
Both sets of players have now emerged down the tunnel at St Mary's, with kickoff just moments away. Chelsea head into the game sitting seven points adrift of their opponents in the race to land fifth place in the Premier League.
KICKOFF! Southampton quick out of the block on home soil this afternoon, as Clasie looks to pick out Long with a punt over the top. The ball ran right through to Courtois, though, so no dream start on the South Coast.
Pedro already appears to be clutching his hamstring, which is a little worrying for the visitors. The Spaniard has looked impressive of late in the Blues' midfield ranks, but at this rate he is unlikely to play a full part.
Oscar is now warming up on the sidelines so it is looking likely to Hiddink will be forced into making that early change. Chelsea largely in control in these early stages, but no action of any note in the final third thus far.
CHELSEA SUB! Here comes that early Chelsea change, then, as Oscar replaces hamstring victim Pedro. The Spaniard bagged a couple last time out in the league, but his involvement comes to an end just seven minutes in on this occasion.
A real tame start to this contest, not helped by that early injury blow for Chelsea. No shots from either side thus far, and not a great deal happening in truth. Southampton did win the game's first corner a few moments ago, but Costa did well to clear away the danger.
CHANCE! The first real opening of the match falls to Southampton - and Shane Long in particular. Courtois rushed off his line and failed to get the ball, allowing Van Dijk to simply loft the ball into a central position for his teammate to head. Long had plenty of the goal - minus Courtois - to aim for, but he failed to find the target at all.
Better from Chelsea, as two well-taken Willian corners ask questions of the Southampton defence. All pretty straightforward in the end, but signs there that the visitors are ready to step things up in pursuit of an opener.
Some nice play for Southampton, but their attacking move comes to a halt when Austin's strike is blocked away by Cahill. Things have improved for both sides over the past five minutes or so, yet we are no closer to that breakthrough goal.
Some impressive all-round play, as Van Dijk picks out Targett on the left with a fine ball over the top. It was swung in with real menace, too, but Ivanovic got to the ball first to head behind for a corner. Southampton the side on top at St Mary's as we approach the 17-minute mark.
YELLOW CARD! Romeu has done well so far against his former club. It is a big afternoon for the defensive midfielder in the absence of Wanyama, and so far he has impressed. Davis becomes the first player to earn a booking for cynically bringing down Fabregas, who was looking to lead a Chelsea attack.
Not seen a great deal from Hazard so far, but his cross into the box causes some real confusion at the back. Cedric was happy to nod the ball behind for a corner, avoiding the most embarrassing of own goals by just a few inches.
Pedro limped off early on at St Mary's to be replaced by Oscar. No goalscoring brace for the Spaniard this afternoon.
Well Cedric came close to heading into his own net up one end a few minutes ago, and Cahill has almost done likewise when clearing a Austin cross from the right. Turned into a good piece of defending in the end, as this fairly tame affair goes on.
Costa frustratingly gets the ball stuck under his feet when leading a rare Chelsea attack. Very little flow to the Blues' forays forward so far, with Southampton just about looking the more likely to break the deadlock. Still yet to see a single shot on target.
SAVE! Right on cue, Oscar does indeed get in the first shot on target with a weak effort down the middle for Forster to collect. Going to take a lot more than that to get the better of a keeper approaching 10 hours without conceding a goal.
SHOT! Van Dijk has been impressive so far, heading away the latest cross into the box while also spraying out some decent passes from the back. Costa sees some space open up in front of him 25 yards out in the next attack, but he drives his attempt well over the bar. Half a chance that has gone begging for the Spaniard.
CLOSE! The game has certainly livened up now, with Austin turning well on the edge of the box and blasting narrowly wide of the target. Courtois was rooted to his spot but thankfully for him the ball ended the wrong side of the post.
A very open feel to the game all of a sudden, as both sides take it in turns to quickly break forward. It has not been a classic half of football, but it is certainly livening up and we have at last seen a few attempts on goals over the past 10 minutes or so.
A ripple of applause can be heard around the ground as Forster has just set a club record for the longest period without conceding a goal. It has now been 667 minutes since he was last beaten, coming against - ironically enough - Chelsea nearly 12 months ago before suffering a nasty injury.
The pace of the game has slowed somewhat as we approach the interval, but it is now Chelsea who appear to be dictating things. The attacking quartet of Oscar, Willian, Hazard and Costa have been passengers for large parts of this first half.
I mentioned how Chelsea's forward players have been far too quiet this half, but Willian is certainly the man who looks like he has the ability to take this contest by the scruff of the neck. Rather than letting the ball drop out for a throw, he thinks quickly on his feet to keep the move alive and help to create just a little momentum for his side.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 CHELSEA (SHANE LONG)
Southampton take the lead at St Mary's, but they have an opposition player to thank for the big breakthrough. Baba Rahman's header was pounced on by Long at the back, allowing the Irishman to charge through and dink the ball over the outrushing Courtois. Superb finish, but some terrible defending from the full-back.
Costa squares the ball right across the face of goal, yet none of his teammates were around to get a telling touch. That came after a corner kick, suggesting that the Blues are now looking to move out of first gear. Been far too casual from them so far.
HALF TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 CHELSEA
So that Shane Long goal just before half time is the difference between the two teams at the break, in what has been a fairly quiet game of football thus far. Not a great deal of action in the attacking third, in truth, but Southampton will argue that they have been the side on top even before that breakthrough goal.
The first chance of the afternoon was actually squandered by Long, who failed to head the ball on target when picked out by Van Dijk from close range. The contest sparked into life halfway through the half with a string of openings, arguably the best of which saw full debutant Austin fire narrowly wide on the turn.
Costa fired a shot well over the bar moments before that Austin strike, while Oscar got in Chelsea's only on-target shot of the half 30 minutes in. The half's big moment arrived in the 42nd minute, though, as Long pounced on a poor Rahman header to race through and get the better of Courtois in the one-on-one battle.
Chelsea were first into making the top flight's earliest substitution of the season when Pedro limped off less than seven minutes in. Oscar was the man to come on in his place, leaving Hiddink with just two more alterations available heading into the second half.
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Stekelenburg, Yoshida, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Mane, Tadic, Pelle
CHELSEA SUBS: Begovic, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Traore, Remy
Shane Long, pictured here battling for the ball with Branislav Ivanovic, scored the first half's only goal to ensure that Southampton hold a slender lead at the break.
RESTART! We are back underway on the South Coast, and there is news of a change to bring you from the break. Rahman has paid the price for his slack defensive play in the build-up to Long's goal, with Kenedy on in his place.
Chelsea yet to recover from a goal down to win a game this season, remember, and that does not appear to be changing this afternoon. The tempo is still lacking in the visitors' game in the early stages of this second half.
Fabregas can only glance his header wide of the target, before Hazard's shot ended high in the stands. Slightly better from the Blues, but so much more is required if they are to break down this stubborn Southampton defence.
CHANCE! Decent for Mikel to nod Chelsea right back into this one. The midfielder has enjoyed a purple patch in front of goal of late, but he could only direct the ball over the bar when left free seven yards out.
So Chelsea starting to see a few openings in front of goal over the past five minutes, which offers encouragement for those travelling supporters behind the goal. Ronald Koeman may be thinking about a change or two around about now.
Romeu tracks back brilliantly to deny Chelsea on the counter. The midfielder has upped his game against former side Chelsea this afternoon, giving those attacking players little room to manoeuvre in the final third.
Azpilicueta wildly lashes the ball high and wide when finding some space 25 yards out. Kenedy produced some nice skill prior to that, but Southampton again stood strong when the cross finally came into the box.
CHANCE! An unbelievable chance goes begging for an in-form Diego Costa. Seven goals in his last eight, remember, but he has just volleyed over when left free around five yards from goal. Perfect cross from Hazard to pick out his teammate.
Van Dijk claims that he was caught in the face by Costa, but replays show that it was an honest challenge from the Spaniard. An easy victim, perhaps, yet referee Martin Atkinson got his call spot on there.
YELLOW CARDS! Moments after defending Costa, he this time has no complaints when tripping Van Dijk. One to keep an eye on, with tempers beginning to flair. To sum that up, Bertrand has been shown a yellow of his own for catching the Spaniard.
YELLOW CARD! Three yellows in three minutes. This time it is Jordy Clasie who enters the referee's book for fouling Willian. Incredibly stop-start now at St Mary's due to these stoppages in play, which is not likely to get any better with substitutions in the offing.
Shane Long comes close to nodding in a second of the afternoon, but Ivanovic was again first to a high ball to nod behind. Really good defending from the Serbian defender, who continues to deputise for the injured Terry at the back. Van Dijk shoots wide from the set-piece move.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Shane Long has picked up a knock and will therefore be replaced 20 minutes from time. Graziano Pelle is on in his place, looking to add to the goal he scored against the Blues earlier this term.
PENALTY APPEAL! Austin latches on to Davis's long ball into the box, but he is taken out by Cahill before getting a shot away. Replays show that it was a decent decision by the ref to wave play on, though, despite the ball also hitting the defender on the hand.
Almost a comic leveller for Chelsea, as a clearance cannons back off Oscar and forces Forster into making a rare save. It was all very routine in the end, however, and this incredible clean sheet run remains intact.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 CHELSEA (CESC FABREGAS)
Forster is beaten at long, long last! It's Cesc Fabregas who bags the key leveller for Chelsea, picking out the back of the net with what appeared to be a shot-cross. The Spaniard's attempt went right through without a touch from teammate Hazard, meaning Southampton have finally conceded a goal.
Costa is unlucky not to put Chelsea in front on the turn, as the Blues all of a sudden look like the team more likely to take all three points from this one. Finely poised heading into the final 10 minutes or so.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Sadio Mane is on for Charlie Austin as Ronald Koeman changes things around slightly. Certainly provides the Saints with a slightly different option up top for these final stages.
CLOSE! Willian within inches of surely winning the game for Chelsea, with his shot ending agonisingly close to the bottom corner of the net. Southampton having to do a fair bit of defending now.
SHOT! Forster looking far busier now all of a sudden, being asked to keep out Oscar's drive. Not the worst attempt, and certainly worth taking on from the first-half sub.
A fine cross from Hazard is crying out to be tapped home, but nobody in a blue shirt gambled at the back post. Southampton fans making a great noise, yet it is Chelsea doing all the pressing since their equaliser.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-2 CHELSEA (BRANISLAV IVANOVIC)
Incredible! Chelsea have taken the lead late on at St Mary's through skipper Branislav Ivanovic. A corner was not dealt with by the Saints, and the Blues defender simply outjumped Van Dijk to surely win the match for his side!
Four minutes have been added on at St Mary's, giving the Saints a glimmer of hope to rescue something from this one. Superb comeback from the Blues, this, but still a few minutes to go.
SUBS! Matic replaces Hazard for these closing seconds, while Ward-Prowse replaced Targett for the hosts. Southampton desperately trying to get the ball forward to no avail at the moment.
FULL TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 1-2 CHELSEA
Incredible late drama at St Mary's, then, as Chelsea battle back to win a game from behind for the first time this season. The win only lifts them up as far as 11th place, but they are now within one point of the top half - some turnaround in recent weeks from them. Southampton, on the other hand, will end the day in seventh place.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at St Mary's Stadium, but be sure to stick around for plenty of reaction from all of the day's Premier League fixtures. Thanks for joining!
