WITH A BANG
Skipper’s quick recovery keeps Blues on track
his worth to the team. Kante chipped the ball deep into the box, Alonso nodded it back into the danger area and the centre-half headed home in front of Costa’s swinging boot.
Chelsea went further ahead in the 53rd minute. After a cleverly-worked corner between Fabregas and Hazard, the former delivered a fine ball into the box and Costa headed home his first goal in eight games for the champions-elect.
It was his 50th Premier League goal in 85 games, a superb scoring ratio.
Boss Antonio Conte had been his usual bag of nerves, jumping around, yelling and gesticulating on the touchline.
Even at 3-1 up he seemed on the verge of a nervous breakdown, blowing his top when he thought Gabbiadini had scored in the 70th minute. His fellow Italian, though, had only hit the side-netting. Southampton always looked a threat with their lively and sharp passing game.
But they were no match for Chelsea, just like the rest of the Premier League.
Costa added his second in the 89th minute with a fine finish after a slick exchange of passes with Hazard and Pedro.
And there was still time for Ryan Bertrand to head a consolation goal for Saints in the fourth minute of stoppage-time. CHELSEA (3-4-3): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses (Terry 86), Matic, Kante, Alonso; Fabregas (Pedro 77), Hazard (Willian 90), Costa. Subs: Begovic, Ake, Batshuayi, Chalobah. SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): Forster; Soares, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand; Romeu, Davis; Ward-Prowse (Long 82), Tadic, Boufal (Redmond 68); Gabbiadini (Rodriguez 86). Subs: Hassen, Clasie, Caceres, Hojbjerg. Referee: Lee Mason.