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Top Gunn has Chelsea firing blanks

Alvaro Morata is thwarted again by Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn
Alvaro Morata is thwarted again by Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn

Chelsea missed the chance to cement their position in the top four after being held to a drab 0-0 draw by Southampton at Stamford Bridge.

Maurizio Sarri’s side, who had announced earlier in the day that they had signed United States international Christian Pulisic in a deal worth €64 million, certainly can’t wait for the 20-year-old to arrive from Borussia Dortmund, such is their current impotency in front of goal.

AS IT HAPPENED: Chelsea v Southampton

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Pulisic is staying in Germany for the remainder of the season, however, and the Blues will have to hope they can find the goals from somewhere if they are to maintain their challenge.

It has not helped that Olivier Giroud is ruled out after picking up an ankle injury at Crystal Palace on Sunday, and he joined Victor Moses and Pedro on the sidelines. Cesc Fabregas was left on the bench having suffered a neck problem, and it meant that out-of-form Alvaro Morata started up front.

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard was at the heart of Chelsea’s best moves, but was well marshalled by James Ward-Prowse on this occasion
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard was at the heart of Chelsea’s best moves, but was well marshalled by James Ward-Prowse on this occasion

The Saints had suffered successive home defeats by West Ham and Manchester City, and Ralph Hasenhuttl made eight changes, with Ryan Bertrand, Matt Targett and Manolo Gabbiadini all ruled out, along with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who began his three-game ban after being dismissed at the weekend.

Hasenhuttl replaced goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, handing a Premier League debut to Angus Gunn, while James Ward-Prowse, Danny Ings and Stuart Armstrong all returned after being rested against Manchester City.

As expected, Chelsea were on the front foot early and Gunn was called into action within the first five minutes, thanks to a smart piece of play from Hazard, who spun away from three Saints’ players and played Willian in with a neat through-ball. Gunn had to be out smartly to come off his line and sweep the ball clear.

The Blues, who had won the past seven meetings in all competitions, scoring two or more goals in six of those previous seven games, created a few half-chances in the first 30 minutes but for all their possession, found the Saints impregnable.

Chelsea’s Willian is denied an early chance by Saints’ keeper Angus Gunn
Chelsea’s Willian is denied an early chance by Saints’ keeper Angus Gunn

Morata should probably have done better with a header after Cesar Azpilicueta floated a cross from the left, but there was little power in the Spaniard’s flicked effort and Gunn comfortably gathered.

Gunn had to be alert moments later when rushing out of his goal to deny Hazard after the Belgian was put through by Willian.

Saints, who had only won three of their previous 19 Premier League encounters at Stamford Bridge, looked lively going forward and had a great opportunity to open their account in the 16th minute when Soares picked out Ings, but from 10 yards out, the striker headed high and wide.

Chelsea had the better of things before the break and Antoine Rudiger’s delightful pass over the top of the Southampton defence deserved better. The ball was inch-perfect for Hazard, whose powerful half-volley was impressively saved at close range from Gunn, who got a combination of shoulder and face in the way of the effort.

Chelsea were forced into a change after 37 minutes when William limped off following a heavy challenge, to be replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Saints had gone 10 league games without a clean sheet coming into this, the longest current run in the top flight, and only the boot of Jann Valery prevented Morata from putting Chelsea in front five minutes before the interval, after good work from Kante and Ross Barkley set him up for a shot from 12 yards out.

Chelsea, who were aiming to keep back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in the league this season, were almost caught out with under two minutes of the second half gone, Stuart Armstrong testing Kepa Arrizabalaga from long range, only to see the Chelsea keeper parry the effort around the post.

Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante find no way through the staunch Southampton defence
Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante find no way through the staunch Southampton defence

Not long after, the former Celtic man showed his intent again when powering down the left and David Luiz was forced into making a last-ditch challenge to avert danger.

At the other end, Hazard cut inside from the left and fired goalwards, only for Gunn to make another fine stop and Jorginho was next to ask a question of the youngster, who was again equal to the effort.

Barkley was withdrawn with 22 minutes remaining with Fabregas coming on for his 500th appearance for English club sides in all competitions. With Monaco seeking his services, it was possibly his last appearance for Chelsea.

Morata, seeking his first goal since November 4, thought he had broken the deadlock shortly after, only to be correctly adjudged to be in an offside position. He really should have done better with 10 minutes remaining after a sweeping move involving Fabregas and Loftus-Cheek gave Morata a great shooting opportunity. However, the Spaniard shot straight at Gunn.

Chelsea continued to probe but the Saints, who have conceded 21 away league goals this season – only Fulham, with 24, have let in more – proved resilient, and their dogged defending ultimately earned them a seventh point (from a possible 18) since Hasenhuttl arrived.

The draw means the Blues remain in fourth place are now left looking over their shoulder with Arsenal three points behind in fifth and Manchester United on the charge under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

What does it mean? Chelsea need reinforcements

Sarri has made no secret of his desire to sign more players, and Wednesday’s match laid that issue bare. With Willian off injured, a glance at their bench showed precious little attacking talent. Hazard cannot be expected to do it all – he needs help in the fight to finish in the top four.

Gunn silences disappointing Chelsea

Sarri’s men were far from their best, but when they did manage to test Gunn, the goalkeeper – who has patiently waited for his opportunity since joining from Manchester City – looked completely at ease on his first top-flight start.

Barkley devoid of craft

It was by no means a surprise to see Ross Barkley hauled off just after the hour, as the England international did not offer a great deal of invention in midfield.

What’s next?

After Saturday’s FA Cup visit of Nottingham Forest, Chelsea have an EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Tottenham before returning to Premier League action against Newcastle on January 12. Saints go to Derby in the FA Cup at the weekend, then travel to Leicester City a week later.