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#3 Southampton's wonderful teamwork stings Chelsea on the break
Not once not twice, but as many as six times the Saints broke free while Chelsea were trying to commit more bodies forward in search of a leveller. Not a lot was going right for them apart from a few half-baked interplays inside the box.
Mason Mount's arrival at halftime certainly infused a bit of spark, but a more collective, organised effort was needed from the hosts. They were extremely flat-footed, and were more often than not, playing their football in front of a contended Southampton foil.
The Saints on the other hand, sat back and deployed every single player behind the ball.
It was a 45-minute spell that consisted of the most alert, brave and no-nonsense defending. Every time the ball was played in through, the likes of Stevens and Jan Bednarek, who has featured in every single game for Hasenhuttl in his time at St. Mary's, were there to get in front of the blue shirts and swat the danger away.
They eventually, grew into their defensive side as the entire bunch began to close down wingers, shut the channels and restrict Mount and Pulisic. Kante as well, had a game to forget. One may argue, for the umpteenth time, that he is far better when helping the back line, picking up the pieces and nicking the ball off opponents.
Most of the credit there goes to James Ward-Prowse for shifting away from his attacking instincts and shielding the defence with timely interceptions and endless coverage.
Southampton could hardly care though, as they reserved their energies to hit Chelsea on the break with pace, and Redmond, who initiated most of the counters, was on the end of a sensational team breakaway to poke home the second.
