Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has praised his side's resilience after watching them come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Chelsea in tonight's Premier League contest.

The Saints boss admitted that the goals his team conceded were avoidable, but hailed his players' "great character" after the game.

"The two goals that we conceded we could have cleared a little bit better in the penalty area, especially the one right before half time," he told the club's official website.

"That could have been a real sucker blow - as it was in the FA Cup when they scored against us right before half time - but the players showed great character to come out in the second half and stick to the game plan.

"We had great impact coming off the bench and to go and claw two goals back the players deserve real credit."

Demba Ba and Eden Hazard gave Chelsea a two-goal lead in the first period, but Southampton hit back through Rickie Lambert and Jason Puncheon to ensure a share of the spoils.