Southampton vs Chelsea: As it happened

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Vaishali Bhardwaj27 February 2016

Chelsea left it late to beat Southampton as Brainslav Ivanovic and Cesc Fabregas struck after Shane Long's opener to earn a 2-1 Premier League win at St Mary's on Sunday.

Teams

Chelsea starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic (c), Baba Rahman; Mikel, Fabregas; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Diego Costa.

Substitutes: Begovic, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Oscar, Traore, Remy.

Southampton starting XI: Forster, Cedric, Van Dijk, Fonte, Targett, Davis, Romeu, Clasie,Bertrand, Austin, Long.

Substitutes: Stekelenburg, Yoshida, Mane, Tadic, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Pelle.

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What they said

Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie: "Chelsea at home is a beautiful game to start after the break. It's a top team and they've got many good players. The last few weeks they are doing much better, but we have confidence and we have to look to ourselves."

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill: "Not losing too many matches brings confidence. We beat Newcastle well last week so we stepped out feeling confident we could do the job. We’re thankful we’re through, we’ve done the job and now we’re on to the next one."

27 February 2016

Incidentally, the last player to score a goal past Forster was Chelsea striker Diego Costa last March. The Saints goalkeeper will be hoping that doesn't happen today, although, Costa comes into today's game having scored seven goals in his last eight league matches.

27 February 2016

So the big news for the home side is that Charlie Austin makes his first start for the Saints today and will partner Shane Long up front in attack.

Fraser Forster starts his seventh successive game today as well - and if he manages not to concede in the first 35 minutes, he'll break the Saints' record of going the longest time without conceding. 

27 February 2016

And here is Southampton's team to play today!   668da173-c6e4-43a5-bfbe-0ed32874315e.jpg

Southampton team: Forster, Soares, Fonte (c), Van Dijk, Bertrand, Targett, Clasie, S.Davis, Romeu, Long, Austin.#CFC

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27 February 2016

So no changes from Guus Hiddink today from the Chelsea side that thrashed Manchester City 5-1 in the FA Cup on Sunday. John Terry and Kurt Zouma remain sidelined with injury - although the former is nearing full fitness - while Hiddink confirmed Radamel Falcao is not available and Alexandre Pato is not yet ready to start. More on Chelsea's team injury list here!

27 February 2016

Chelsea subs v Southampton: Begovic, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Oscar, Traore, Remy. #CFC

27 February 2016

Team news is out! Here is Chelsea's starting XI to face the Saints today:  edba45be-b387-43eb-8570-7134182be4c3.jpg

Chelsea team today: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic (c), Baba Rahman; Mikel, Fabregas; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Diego Costa. #CFC

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27 February 2016

And here is Courtois arriving at St Mary's Stadium earlier! The Belgian goalkeeper talked aboutChelsea's chances of making top four this season - and he isn't confident of such a task being achieved this season.   ca163d59-de79-4b43-8701-6b5447414dba_500.jpg

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27 February 2016

.@AlexandrePato and @MattMiazga3 arriving for today's game...

27 February 2016

Before the team news is announced, check out our comprehensive preview of the game right here!

27 February 2016

Welcome to Standard Sport's live coverage of Southampton's home clash with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea! We'll bring you team news, stats and all the action as it happens at St Mary's Stadium!

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