Premier League news: Obafemi and Redmond strike as Southampton stun Chelsea

Chelsea suffered a third defeat in four Premier League home games as relegation-threatened Southampton ran out 2-0 winners at Stamford Bridge.

Victory at Tottenham on Sunday should have meant confidence was sky high, but the Blues struggled to counter Ralph Hasenhuttl’s gameplan. The Austrian saw his side record back-to-back league wins on the road for the first time this season.

The hosts’ early lack of intensity set the tone for the game; they opted for 3-4-3 and weren’t forceful enough in midfield, with Jorginho having to drop deep in order to influence the game.

Southampton soon grew in confidence, with Ryan Bertrand and Nathan Redmond enjoying great link-up down the left. The latter crossed after Stuart Armstrong broke through the middle and fed him, but Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger eventually cleared.

As the half hour mark passed, though, the Saints, who had left 11-goal striker Danny Ings on the bench, took the lead through Michael Obafemi. He picked the ball up just outside the area and used his body to create space before beating Kepa with a curling shot.

With Tammy Abraham, Willian and Callum Hudson-Odoi all misfiring, Chelsea’s best chance of an equaliser came when Alex McCarthy stopped the Brazilian’s corner from deflecting in off Armstrong.

Frank Lampard made a half time change, ditching the three defenders and replacing Zouma with Mason Mount. The young midfielder was instantly involved, finding Abraham, but his shot hit the side netting.

At the other end, Che Adams was denied his first Saints goal by Tomori’s excellent sliding tackle after Redmond rolled the ball across the face. The winger went in search of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg moments later, as Southampton refused to lie down.

Chelsea really struggled to step it up, despite Mount’s positive impact, with the visitors going close again through Redmond, before Ings replaced Obafemi with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Redmond finally made his mark on 73 minutes, capping off a lovely Southampton passing move by dinking the ball over the onrushing Kepa to edge the game away from the Blues.

It is now six defeats in all competitions at the Bridge for Chelsea this season, and the most concerning thing for Lampard is the similarity in the way each victor has played. His youthful side has rightly earned plaudits for the way they have performed at times, but they really struggle to break down low blocks. Perhaps the tactics were wrong, too; but credit to Southampton, who stuck to their plan and grabbed three points in style.

Redmond was phenomenal, alongside a number of his teammates. His clinching goal was the least he deserved having created plenty of chances and caused havoc down the left. He is going to be crucial in Southampton’s battle against relegation.

Chelsea: Kepa 6, Tomori 6, Zouma 5, Rudiger 5, Emerson 5, Jorginho 5, Kante 6, Azpilicueta 6, Willian 6, Hudson-Odoi 5, Abraham 5 Substitutes: Mount 6, Pulisic 5, Pedro n/a

Southampton: McCarthy 6, Bertrand 7, Stephens 7, Bednarek 7, Soares 6, Redmond 8, Hojbjerg 7, Ward-Prowse 8, Armstrong 7, Obafemi 7, Adams 7 Substitutes: Ings 6, Boufal n/a, Romeu n/a

31’ - GOAL! Southampton lead! What a lovely solo run and finish by Obafemi!

59’ - GREAT DEFENDING! Redmond breaks down the left and looks for Adams. But Tomori makes a great interception to deny his first Southampton goal.

73’ – GOAL! Redmond gets his reward after a lovely Southampton move, which probably involved 30 passes. 2-0.

Chelsea have lost back-to-back home games for the first time in eight years.