Match Summary
Chelsea started the year with a bang as the Blues recorded a convincing 3-0 win against Southampton at a rain-drenched St Mary’s Stadium.
Fernando Torres’ opener — the first away goal by any Chelsea striker since 2012 — an hour into the match settled the nerves, before the substitutes Willian and Oscar scored with 11 minutes separating each of the goals.
One of the players who had to make way, however, was fan favourite Juan Mata, who made public his disillusionment at the current state of affairs, stropping in uncharacteristic fashion on the bench, further fuelling speculation he could be on his way out in this month’s transfer window.
It leaves the Blues now well positioned and just two points behind league leaders Arsenal as the season looks to be the most competitive and exciting yet.
Man of the Match
OSCAR: a 40-minute cameo was enough to turn the game on his head. The one downside to his performance was the rather unnecessary fall when past Kelvin Davis but reacted admirably thereafter, assisting his compatriot Willian before firing home Chelsea’s third. 8/10
Manager Reaction
Mourinho on Oscar’s booking for simulation: “He deserved to get booked. It’s strange because Oscar is a clean player, he was waiting for the keeper to come and smash him because that usually happens, but the keeper wasn’t coming, he stopped. I accepted his explanation to me, Oscar found himself in a moment of contradiction in a fraction of a second. It’s a fair yellow card for a clean player.”
Pochettino was complimentary of Chelsea: “Oscar and Willian coming on completely changed the game. After we conceded the first goal Chelsea were much more relaxed and they became much more decisive and comfortable.”