Our 3️⃣ points as Chelsea fight back for Southampton point | OneFootball

Chelsea dropped points for just the second time under Thomas Tuchel with a draw away to Southampton.

This is what we made of it.

Deserved draw

Both sides will probably feel they could have came away with the win and both will certainly be aware that they could have lost this one too.

Chelsea created more of the chances but Timo Werner was back to his old ways and didn’t have his shooting boots on the right feet again.

But Southampton created the biggest opportunity in the closing stage to win it when Jannik Vestergaard was denied by the woodwork.

It was lucky for the visitors that Mason Mount was on form and was the sole reason they came away with something, winning and scoring the penalty and looking their major menace throughout.

Anyone who thought that ‘Frank Lampard’s pet’ would fade out under the new man is sorely mistaken. He remains one of the first names on the team sheet.

One man who that doesn’t apply to though is Callum Hudson-Odoi and it remains to be seen where he goes from here after coming on as a half-time substitute before being taken back off (with his coach citing his lack of energy and commitment to counter-pressing as the reason).

Don’t cross the boss.

Tak-ing his chance

What an inspired move for all parties Takumi Minamino’s January loan switch to Southampton has been.

Liverpool are going to get a player whose confidence is sky high and has proven his quality at this level, while the Saints are benefitting from that in the here and now.

He was a livewire against Chelsea with his movement and quick passing around the area. Even when it didn’t come off, the effort had to be commended.

The goal was a gloriously enjoyable one, with the Japan international sitting down two players with his deft footwork before calmly rolling into the gaping goal with an outside-of-the-boot finish.

In doing so, he has already scored more league goals for Southampton than Liverpool and becomes the first opposition player to net against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.

Minamino is thriving under Ralph Hasenhüttl and looks like he’ll be ready to make an impact at Anfield next season upon his return.

A word also for Mohammed Salisu at centre-back who made his first Premier League start (against difficult opposition) and dealt with everything excellently. The place is now his to lose.

Djenepo in the wars

Poor Moussa Djenepo.

He’ll certainly have the bruises after this one to show from his battle against the Blues.

The Mali international was firstly the victim of a poorly timed challenge from Timo Werner, which brought no punishment.

And there was none to come for N’Golo Kanté either when he too cane in late on Djenepo before the half-time break.

Both tackles did appear to be mistimed and without malice, made to look a lot worse by the ball being moved out of the area so quickly.

But Southampton fans are right to raise the question of why nothing was done about either – particularly given some of the red cards (or at the very least yellow) we have witnessed this season.

It could have made a big difference.