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EPL News Today | CHELSEA were stunned at Stamford Bridge once again as Southampton beat the Blues 2-0 on the road.
Coming into the clash off the back of a masterclass at Tottenham, Frank Lampard could probably barely recognise the men struggling to put an attack together.
After the euphoric high of victory at Tottenham for Frank Lampard came the cold turkey of another crushing home defeat.
Michael Obafemi and Nathan Redmond scored a goal in each half as Southampton won at Stamford Bridge and continued their festive revival.
For Chelsea, it was a third defeat in the last four home games in the Premier League and a blow to their top four hopes.
With a trip to the Emirates in just three days, Chelsea have serious questions to answer as their lack of consistency could cost them Champions League qualification.
The trouble began for the hosts on the half hour mark as winger Callum Hudson-Odoi was dispossessed and Saints midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg picked up the ball.
Danish international Hojbjerg slipped it through to Michael Obafemi who drove at the Blues backline, came in on his left foot and fired into the top corner.
The sublime strike stunned the Blues and later encouraged Lampard, sensing a lack of creativity, to switch formations for the second-half.
Lampard chose to keep faith with the same tactical shape which had proved so successful on the previous outing at Spurs with three at the back and three changes.
There was a first start since October for teenage winger Callum Hudson-Odoi but this game unfolded very differently to the derby at White Hart Lane.
Southampton quite happy to let Chelsea dominate the ball and frustrate the home team by slowing down the rhythm of the game.
Ryan Bertrand was shown a yellow card for time-wasting with less than half an hour gone.
Chelsea struggled to break out of and lift the tempo and created very little in the first half. The best chance fell to Fikayo Tomori who arrived at the back post to meet a cross from Hudson-Odoi but his header was a comfortable save for Alex McCarthy.
Ralph Hasenhuttl seemed to have an eye on the fixture against Crystal Palace on Saturday, when his team selection revealed top scorer Danny Ings was starting on the bench.
Ings has scored 10 in his last 12 appearances and with Shane Long injured it meant Che Adams and Obafemi were in tandem up front. Although the selection seemed inspired when the visitors took the lead.
Hudson-Odoi was crowded out and dispossessed on halfway and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg swept a pass forward quickly to Obafemi who slipped away from Tomori and into space.
Kurt Zouma backed off as Obafemi sped into the penalty box, shifted the ball onto his left foot and curled a wonderful shot into the top corner.
It was his second goal in the Premier League and his first for more than a year and proof that Saints carry a threat on their travels.
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