Southampton midfielder Nathan Redmond has attributed his team’s 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day to the pattern of play and formation used by his manager.
The Blues suffered another disappointing home defeat to the Saints after losing 1-0 at home to Bournemouth two weeks ago. Frank Lampard’s side were looking to record back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time in over a month against the Saints that are battling relegation.
Republic of Ireland international Michael Obafemi gave Southampton the lead when he curled home a stunning left-footed effort from the edge of the box (31) after Chelsea had lost possession in midfield.
While Redmond doubled Southampton’s lead with 17 minutes to play to secure three points for the south coast club on the road.
Chelsea dominated possession throughout but showed none of the cutting edge that helped them beat Tottenham last time out, allowing Southampton to claim a deserved win which lifts them up to 14th in the Premier League table.
Speaking after the match, Redmond said the win was not about spotting Chelsea’s weaknesses but a gameplan adopted by Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
He said: “We did the groundwork and when we had the chance to put together a passage of play, we did, and I manage to score it.
“It was not about spotting Chelsea’s weaknesses, it was about using a system that works for us.
“We executed a gameplan that we work on week-in-week-out”.
The result means that Chelsea remain in fourth place ahead of a trip to their bitter London rivals Arsenal in their next Premier League fixture at the Emirates on Sunday, while Southampton are at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday at St Mary’s Stadium.
Quick facts about Chelsea’s defeat to Southampton (Opta Stats)
– Chelsea have lost back to back home Premier League matches for the first time since November 2011 under Andre Villas-Boas.
– Chelsea have lost seven Premier League games this season – only one fewer than they lost in the entirety of the 2018/19 season under Maurizio Sarri.
– Southampton’s Michael Obafemi (aged 19 years, 173 days) became the youngest away Premier League scorer against Chelsea since James Vaughan in May 2007 for Everton (18 years 303 days).
– Chelsea have lost three Premier League games during December 2019, their most in a calendar month since October 2015.
– Southampton have won four of their last six Premier League matches, one more than in their previous 20 games.
– Chelsea had just 10 shots against Southampton, their fewest in a Premier League game under Frank Lampard and fewest since April against Liverpool (six).
