Southampton vs Chelsea LIVE: Result and reaction from Premier League fixture today
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow all the action as Southampton host Chelsea in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off.
After such a fantastic first half of the season, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side now find themselves trapped in a desperate slump, losing all of their last six league games in succession, including a harrowing 9-0 defeat by Manchester United. The Saints briefly topped the table at one stage but have now dropped down to 13th, with their hopes of securing European football now all but extinguished.
However, Chelsea’s fortunes have improved markedly since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, even if a title charge is already beyond the Blues. The club have won five out of six games in all competitions since Frank Lampard was sacked and currently sit fourth, just four points adrift of second-placed Manchester United. There was relief for Timo Werner, too, in a 2-0 victory against Newcastle last time out, with the forward finally bringing his torrid goal drought to an end. Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz have both returned to full training ahead of the fixture, but Tuchel will already have one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid and may choose to rotate his starting line-up. Follow all the action live below:
READ MORE: Could Chelsea win the Champions League?
THE MANAGERS SPEAK TO BT SPORT
Ralph Hasenhuttl: "Things can change quickly again, no time to think about how much it hurts and think about what we can do better. Today we have to be strong against a strong team."
Thomas Tuchel: "[On Kante return] It's a pure pleasure to have the guy in the squad, what we see in training is fantastic. Right now we have three quality midfielders, they are at the moment the core of our team with quality, organisation and structure. I'm very, very happy and today N'Golo comes back and I hope he shows what he showed in training."
LAST MEETING
Southampton came from 3-1 down to earn a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge back in October, with Jannik Vestergaard heading home an injury-time equaliser. A Timo Werner brace and a Kai Havertz goal had put Chelsea in control, but mistakes at the back - most memorably from Kepa Arrizabalaga - allowed Danny Ings and Che Adams to score before the late leveller. That spelled the end of the Kepa’s tempestuous time as Chelsea No.1 and seemed to be the catalyst for a brief defensive improvement, though Frank Lampard couldn’t sustain it.
TUCHEL ON ZIYECH GAME TIME
Hakim Ziyech is a substitute again this afternoon...
Thomas Tuchel explains Hakim Ziyech’s lack of Chelsea game time
Summer signing has only featured twice so far under the new Blues boss
CONTRASTING FORM
Southampton are on a dismal run in the Premier League, with the nadir coming in their 9-0 defeat at Manchester United earlier this month. Ralph Hasenhuttl still has the confidence of the club’s fans, though, and recent victories in the FA Cup have at least given the Saints hope of a potential resurgence.
The visitors today will fancy their chances, though, after a promising start under Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea’s new boss has quickly addressed any remaining defensive concerns, and his side have largely dominated opposition over the last couple of weeks.
CHANGES
Southampton bring in Mohammed Salisu and Moussa Djenepo for Kyle Walker-Peters and Stuart Armstrong after a sixth successive Premier League defeat against Wolves last time out.
Chelsea, meanwhile, make four changes to the side that comfortably beat Newcastle: Edouard Mendy is back, while Reece James, Kurt Zouma and N’Golo Kante also start.
Follow all the latest updates from the game, with team news and build-up coming right up...
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