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Southampton logo
Premier League
Dec 28, 2014 at 2.05pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-1

Mane (17')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Hazard (45')

Player Ratings: Southampton 1-1 Chelsea

Sports Mole rates the performances of the players on show during Southampton's 1-1 home draw with Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Southampton and Chelsea shared two goals and the points in their Premier League encounter on the South Coast this afternoon.

Sadio Mane put the home side in front with 17 minutes played, before Eden Hazard restored parity in first-half stoppage time.

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin saw red in the closing stages, but despite dominating most of the possession, Chelsea were unable to score a winning goal.

Here, Sports Mole has rated the performances of all of the players on show at the St Mary's Stadium.


SOUTHAMPTON

Sadio Mane of Southampton celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on December 28, 2014© Getty Images

Goal

Fraser Forster: Despite Chelsea's dominance, the England goalkeeper barely had a shot to save. Having said that, he did come off his line on occasions to relieve the pressure on his team. (7/10)

Defence

Matt Targett: Perhaps lucky not to concede a penalty when he slipped inside the area, but aside from that, it was a steady full Premier League debut for the 19-year-old. After this showing, it would not be a surprise if he earned more appearances as the season progresses. (7/10)

Jose Fonte: Back in the side after suspension, Fonte was at his defensive best. He made numerous challenges and clearances, as well as reading the danger extremely well. (7/10)

Toby Alderweireld;: The Belgian is a good defender and he showed that today, but it was his composure in possession of the ball that was most striking. He set up numerous attacks with precise passes. (7/10)

Maya Yoshida: He isn't the first and certainly won't be the last defender to have struggled up against the lively Hazard. He was cautioned for a foul on the Chelsea talisman and was substituted, for his own good, soon after. (5/10)

Midfield

Morgan Schneiderlin: He may have been handed a second yellow card for a lunge on Fabregas in the final minute of normal time, but it was a good performance from the Frenchman. He was energetic and rarely wasteful with the ball. (7/10)

Victor Wanyama: Alongside Schneiderlin, Wanyama provided a major physical presence in the centre of the pitch. On numerous occasions he won the midfield battle with Matic. (7/10)

Steven Davis: He put in a very good shift in a defensive sense and also swung over a couple of dangerous corners into the Chelsea area, but he was relatively quiet before being replaced. (6/10)

Sadio Mane: The summer signing from Red Bull Salzburg has been inconsistent this term, but he showed his best form today. His pace caused problems throughout, while he also displayed great composure in opening the scoring. (8/10)

Dusan Tadic: He set up the goal, but looked short of match fitness and struggled to make an impact on proceedings. It came as little surprise when he was replaced. (5/10)

Attack

Graziano Pelle: The Italian did not shirk the physical battle up against Chelsea's centre-backs and he won some throw-ins and free-kicks, which relieved the pressure. (6/10)

Substitutes

James Ward-Prowse: Known for his decent set-piece delivery, Ward-Prowse was not at his best after replacing Tadic. (5/10)

Florin Gardos: It is not always easy for a defender to pick up the pace of a game when coming on as a substitute, but Gardos did very well as he made a number of key blocks. (6/10)

Shane Long: The Irishman has previously haunted Chelsea, but he could not get into the game. (5/10)


CHELSEA

Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates scoring his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on December 28, 2014© Getty Images

Goal

Thibaut Courtois: Particularly during the second half, there were long spells when Courtois did not touch the ball. With regards to the goal, there was not much that he could have done to prevent it. (6/10)

Defence

Filipe Luis: Defensively did little wrong, but Luis failed to deliver the goods further up the pitch. In the closing stages, he had two crossing opportunities, but fluffed both. (5/10)

Gary Cahill: A steady outing from Cahill, who was his usual solid self. He rarely lost a battle in the air and kept things simple in possession. (6/10)

John Terry: Usually such a good reader of the game, Terry got it badly wrong when he tried to play offside for the Southampton goal. (5/10)

Branislav Ivanovic: Such was Chelsea's dominance in the second half that Ivanovic spent most of his time in the final third of the pitch. He did send numerous crosses into the area, but none were converted. (6/10)

Midfield

John Obi Mikel: The Nigerian offered protection to the Chelsea backline, but he was wasteful on occasions. It was Mikel that gave away possession in the build up to the Southampton goal. (5/10)

Nemanja Matic: Unusually, Matic struggled to stamp his authority on proceedings in the first half. That changed after the restart as the tall Serbian started numerous attacks with some smart interceptions. (6/10)

Cesc Fabregas: The Spaniard was comfortably Chelsea's best player. He shone during the first half and assisted Hazard's goal, before going on to carve out numerous openings after the restart. (8/10)

Andre Schurrle: Given a chance to impress from the start, the German failed to make the most of it. He was anonymous for most of his time on the pitch and it was little surprise when he was substituted during the break. (4/10)

Eden Hazard: After a quiet start, he pushed Fabregas hard for the honour of Chelsea's best player. His goal was trademark Hazard, while his quick feet caused countless problems as the match drew to a close. (7/10)

Attack

Diego Costa: For whatever reason, it did not happen for Costa today. He worked hard, but when chances came his way, he was closed down quickly and challenged. (6/10)

Substitutes

Willian: Chelsea were a much better side following his half-time introduction. He kept things simple and always ensured that the ball was moving. (7/10)

Didier Drogba: The veteran struggled after coming on as a replacement for Mikel. He made a couple of good runs, but was not quick enough to meet the ball. (5/10)

Loic Remy: Thrown on with only a couple of minutes left to play, the Frenchman barely got a touch of the ball. (5/10)


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Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates scoring his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium on December 28, 2014
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