Chelsea FC 2-1 Southampton: 5 Talking Points

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Captains and match officials pose with matchday mascots prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on February 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Captains and match officials pose with matchday mascots prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on February 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Chelsea players celebrate their second goal by Branislav Ivanovic (obscured) during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary’s Stadium on February 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Chelsea players celebrate their second goal by Branislav Ivanovic (obscured) during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary’s Stadium on February 27, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

1. Chelsea are showing the mental strength that was absent earlier in the season

This was the first time this season that the Blues had gone on to win a game when conceding the first goal. It was also the first time Chelsea had won back to back games in the Premier League.

The West Londoners showed collective poise after going down to a Shane Long goal. The players showed composure and it really did feel that there was no sense of panic within the team. The Blues believed that they could turn it around and they did so.

Credit must also be given to the manager, Guus Hiddink, who brought on Kennedy for Baba Rahman. The young Brazilian was more assured than the Ghanaian at left-back and was part of a back four that in the second-half kept Southampton at bay.

It is fair to say that this comeback would never have happened in the early part of the season. The increased mental strength of the team will hopefully drive Chelsea on to more victories in the latter part of the season.

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