Southampton left Stamford Bridge with a well-earned point after holding depleted Chelsea to a 0-0 Premier League draw on Wednesday
Maurizio Sarri reinstated Alvaro Morata to the team with Olivier Giroud ruled out, yet the service to the Spaniard was poor as Saints dug deep to hold on for a well-earned point. A tame first half passed with few flashpoints, though Chelsea did see Willian forced off on the same day the club announced the signing of Christian Pulisic, who will arrive at the end of the season.
The home side had a Morata goal controversially ruled out for offside late in the second half as they failed to win at home for a second successive outing, following on from a shock 1-0 reverse against Leicester City on December 22.
It took Chelsea 33 minutes to craft their first meaningful opportunity, Eden Hazard finding space in the left side of the area and firing an effort which came back off the face of Premier League debutant Angus Gunn.
Willian was forced off after a collision with Maya Yoshida a few moments later, further decreasing Chelsea’s depleted forward options.
And while Sarri will no doubt wish Pulisic was available immediately, Willian’s replacement Ruben Loftus-Cheek looked lively.
