Chelsea must repair defence after Southampton follows familiar script to ruin clean sheet

Chelsea conceded two goals for the third consecutive game and are now over three months without a Premier League clean sheet. The leaky defence could make the title chase much tenser than it needs to be.

Chelsea are third in the Premier League in the number of clean sheets (13) and goals allowed (29). Thibaut Courtois backstopped each of those clean sheets, and is tied for the lead with Hugo Lloris and David de Gea. Unsurprisingly, Lloris and de Gea play for the two teams ahead of the Blues in those defensive measures.

Chelsea and Courtois are riding the momentum of late 2016 in these statistics. The Blues’ last Premier League clean sheet was 22 January against Hull City. Chelsea are averaging 1.27 goals per game and are 7W-2D-2L in that span.

While Courtois bears the statistical brunt of responsibility for the lack of clean sheets, his defence is doing him no favours. Tottenham’s 2-0 win to end the 13-game win streak revealed the most effective way to score against Courtois. Both Tottenham goals started with a long pass that split Chelsea’s centre-backs, where Dele Alli blasted in a shot on his first or second touch.

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Liverpool used a similar set-up to draw with Chelsea in the first game after that long-ago clean sheet. Tottenham deployed it again in the FA Cup semi-final to equalize at 2-2 early in the second half. And Southampton did it to score a late consolation yesterday through ex-Blue Ryan Bertrand.

In each of these goals and others like them, the inbound pass sliced Chelsea’s centre-backs, who were out of position to cover either the ball or the target man. Cesar Azpilicueta can be somewhat forgiven if this happens on his side, given the height disparity with most forwards he must cover.

However, David Luiz and Gary Cahill have no such excuse. They have the height and experience – and should have the sense of positioning and tactics – to neutralize the pass and the man. Against Southampton, David Luiz froze ball-side of Bertrand as the pass came in. He did not even jump for a clearance.

Gary Cahill was behind Bertrand and reacted too late to get in front of or goal-side of Bertrand. Nor could he have muscled Bertrand out of the way without risking a penalty. As a result, Ryan Bertrand had a free header in Chelsea’s box. He merely had to choose his corner of the net.

Southampton’s earlier goal was the result of farcical and chaotic Chelsea defending. Throughout the game the Blues struggled with the fundamentals of defending set pieces. Chelsea had no players protecting the goal line on Southampton’s 24th minute corner kick. As Courtois came out to defend at the far post, his nearest defenders were several yards from the goal line. None were able to clear the ball, and only when it fell to Oriol Romeu did Chelsea scramble to cover for Courtois. But they were far too late. Azpilicueta was the first Blue to reach the goal line just as the ball passed over it.

Southampton had several clear opportunities to score off other set pieces. The game easily could have been 2-2, 3-2 or 3-3 after 70 minutes. Antonio Conte’s late use of John Terry could have been as much about providing leadership and organization on set pieces as it was about giving Terry a run-out.

Chelsea’s set-piece defending has been adequate until yesterday. The game against Southampton could have been a one-off in terms of dealing with corners and free kicks. However, Chelsea exposed another deficiency with five games remaining. Romelu Lukaku will be predatory against his once and future team on Sunday if they are as disorderly on defence.

While Chelsea’s thrilling wins over Everton and Manchester United are the most memorable parts of the win streak, the four 1-0 wins in six games leading into the holidays made it possible. Most clubs know how to at least stifle, if not overcome, Chelsea’s attack at this point in the season. Burnley and Crystal Palace show that you do not need to be world-beaters to beat Chelsea. If they can limit Chelsea to a single goal, Chelsea must limit them to none.

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The Blues were fortunate to put up four goals against Tottenham and Southampton, but they should not need that many to win. Antonio Conte and Thibaut Courtois must work with their defenders to stop the trend of shipping cheap goals. The fans may enjoy six-goal games, but the ability to win 1-0 will most effectively bring the Premier League trophy to Stamford Bridge.