Chelsea suffered a humiliating home defeat to 20th-placed Southampton. James Ward-Prowse scored the only goal in the added time to the first half.
There were certainly a lot of negatives about the Blues' performance. Inability to beat the Saints' press, lack of creativity going forward, Mount ghosting again, sloppy defending, to name the most glaring.
But is it all as bad as it felt yesterday? Now, the morning after the game, it feels there are causes for mild optimism — although it could be just our wishful thinking. Here are the positives we found.
Kids putting in a shift
Datro Fofana was given his first Premier League start and did really well, showing he has what it takes to be a starter for the Blues. His directness, ability on the turn and good movement vindicate Potter omitting Auba from the squad.
Madueke was Chelsea's best player in the first half, using his pace and trickery to make life hard for the opposition defenders.
Badiashile made a stupid mistake very early on but recovered and looked solid while Wesley Fofana impressed with calmness and solidity after coming on.
These players, no older than 21 years old, are certainly rough diamonds, but diamonds nonetheless. Chelsea have a bright future with these guys and they are already looking much better than most senior players.
Substitutions worked
One of the biggest criticisms levelled at Potter this season is that his substitutions don't work. This time it was the other way around as his subs changed the game. He may have been poor with his initial selection but Sterling, Havertz and Gallagher made a lot of difference as Chelsea woke up from their slumber in the second half and came very close to scoring.
Potter deserves all the stick he's getting for getting Chelsea where they are now but credit where it's due — his subs were top-notch on Saturday.
Good xG but bad luck
Chelsea registered a two times better xG than the opposition: 1.56 versus Southampton’s 0.75. Once again, the Blues create enough chances to score a goal but the ball refuses to go in. It was the same against Dortmund with the xG of 2.05 against Borussia's 1.28.
Here are just some episodes where it was so close to being 1-1 with plenty of time left.
1. It’s a goal if the defender doesn’t block Sterling’s strike down the middle. The keeper was done as he jumped to his right.
2. Sterling heads it on goal, the goalkeeper fails to catch it but once again a Southampton player blocks a sure goal.
3. Somehow, Mount fails to connect to Sterling’s perfect cross. It won’t count towards Chelsea’s expected goals but that’s another glorious chance to equalise.
Azpilicueta conscious
You wouldn't wish this head injury upon your worst enemy. Azpi was on the floor for ten minutes after receiving a nasty bicycle kick in the head; Potter confirmed post-match that the captain lost consciousness for some time.
Fortunately, the defender regained consciousness on the pitch and was taken to the hospital. Potter said Azpi was already communicating with doctors and his wife an hour after the match.
