On a day where referee Robert Madley made (or did not make) a number of calls, Chelsea FC would continue their poor start to the Barclays Premier League season by losing 3-1 at home to Southampton.
The game started well enough, with Chelsea showing a bit more organization in defense, while trying to build a sustained attack. Captain John Terry returned in central defense and seemingly had an instant impact. Willian would get the Blues on top early, with what is becoming a customary direct free kick goal.
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The Brazilian midfielder was able to curl one past Maarten Stekelenburg with a truly extraordinary effort.
The first of series of penalty shouts would be denied in the 33rd minute, when Sadio Mane felt that he was fouled in the box by Ramires. Radamel Falcao thought he had won a penalty as well after being taken down in the box by Stekelenburg, but was instead shown a yellow card for simulation.
Just before halftime, the Saints would find the equalizer. Jose Fonte controlled a pass, and left it in the path of Steven Davis. Davis struck it well, and gave his team momentum going into the second half.
From the time the second half started, Southampton looked the team more likely to win. The Saints started the half with a flurry, which forced Asmir Begovic into multiple acrobatic saves.
Southampton would get the goal they admittedly deserved in the 60th minute through Mane. The winger took out his frustration at the officials by putting his team ahead 2-1. Terry misplaced the ball, which allowed Mane to turn around him and get a one-on-one with Begovic. He was able to put the ball just underneath the keeper, and give the Saints a lead they didn’t look likely to lose.
The match would effectively be put to bed after Graziano Pelle scored in the 73rd minute. Southampton launched a “Chelsea-esque” counter attack, and Pelle finished calmly to Begovic’s far post. The Blues would desperately try and search for a way back into the contest, but it simply wouldn’t come.
The West Londoners never really got hold of the game today, which is immensely disappointing considering that it took place at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are desperate for points. With an international break upcoming, the agony will last until Chelsea return to action October 17th against Aston Villa.
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