3 Key Talking Points From Chelsea vs Southampton (1:1) : The Blues Might Just Win The League By Default

Southampton survived a late Chelsea onslaught as they held onto a 1-1 at Stamford Bridge. After being dumped out of the Champions League on Wednesday, Jose Mourinho’s side were looking to capitalise on Manchester City’s slip up and go eight points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League. But they were denied the opportunity to do so as the Saints remained unbeaten against the Blues this season.

Diego Costa gave the home side the lead early in the first half with his first league goal in almost two months. The Spaniard’s effort was cancelled out by Dusan Tadic soon afterwards as the Serbian converted a controversial penalty. Although the Blues piled on the pressure in the second half, they were unable to break through and had to be content with a point in the end.

Here are the major talking points from the game.

1. Chelsea only have themselves to blame

There are times when you have to say something after the game. And then there are times when you have to simply accept the fact that things didn’t go your way. Unfortunately, the art of not saying anything seems to be lost on Mourinho, who once again called out the referee, albeit not directly, and is likely to face an inspection from the FA once again. But the problem isn’t him, it is his players.

Earlier in the season, they were getting penalties, but their players were also diving looking for penalties. While they got the rub off the green, early on, as the season went on, it looks as though the referees have caught the drift. Now anytime Chelsea don’t actually get a penalty that they deserve, like the one on Branislav Ivanovic in the first half, it is a case of the boy who cried wolf. Ivanovic in particular, has been guilty of that far too often this season. Before he goes on complaining about not getting a penalty, Mourinho would be better served if he spoke to his players about not being overly theatrical whether they have been fouled or not.

2. Chelsea might just win the league by default

Manchester City’s loss to Burnley was significant in more ways than one. Not only did it mean that the Blues could open up a double-digit gap on City if they won their games in hand, it also meant that the home side went into a big game, without any pressure to win. Earlier in the season, it looked as though the London club were simply going to run away with the league, but on the evidence of their performances in the past couple of months, it looks as though they are going to stumble across the finish line.

While there is no doubt that the Blues have been the most consistent side in the Premier League, their Champions League exit showed that they aren’t without their flaws. But with Mourinho at the helm, they have been able to grind out victories when they don’t deserve and manage to escape without defeat when they take on their rivals. With Manchester United in transition, City faltering  and Arsenal being Arsenal, the Blues might take the title, not by design, but merely by default, much like United did two seasons ago.

3. Foster making a claim for England place

To be a goalkeeper requires tremendous ability. Not just physically in terms of size and athleticism, but mentally as well. You need to learn to be thick-skinned and not listen to the criticism that might come your way. For you can be brilliant for an entire game and make one silly mistake and everyone points the finger of blame at you. But then there are those days, when you can seemingly do no wrong. Days when you think that nothing can get past.

Sunday was one such occasion for Fraser Forster who once again showed just why he must be in the reckoning for a fourth England cap soon. At 26, he isn’t a rookie trying to find his way in, but an established keeper who has time and again shown that he can use his imposing physique to his advantage. Although he conceded once, there was little he could do about it. For the rest of the game though, his reflexes, ability to stay strong and imposing were all evident as the league’s meanest defense was backed up by a sublime goalkeeping performance.