Chelsea 3 Southampton 1: 'I'm very proud of my Chelsea career,' says John Terry after his 400th Premier League match

Defender headed in the Blues vital third in the victory at Stamford Bridge

John Terry celebrates Chelsea's second goal against Southampton on Sunday (GETTY IMAGES)

John Terry celebrated scoring on his 400th Premier League appearance for Chelsea as the 3-1 win over Southampton moved them up to second in the Premier League table.

Despite going behind inside 13 seconds after Jay Rodriguez punished a poor Michael Essien back pass, goals from Gary Cahill, Terry and Demba Ba moved Chelsea to within four points of leaders Arsenal.

"It's very significant for me. It's a huge achievement to maintain it at a top club like I have," Terry told Sky Sports 1 of his 400th league game.

"I'm very proud of that. I'm thankful for the fans as well for sticking by me and the club as well. Hopefully there's many more to come this season and maybe next."

Terry's central defensive partner Cahill bemoaned a slow start by Chelsea which saw them concede early in the game.

"I think we just started off a bit slow. (There was a) back pass that didn't quite get there. It was the worst possible start for us and it makes it a bit nervy from then on," he said.

Cahill revealed that manager Jose Mourinho had reassured his players at half-time.

"He stressed not to really worry about that first half."

Mourinho was confident his players could turn the game around.

"It was the worst possible start but I think we had the quality to keep balanced and wait for the second half to risk and to try to score a goal," he told Sky Sports 1.

"We did not lose our balance. We kept calm. We knew that in the second half we could change things and I think the second half performance was very good.

"I think we gave Southampton something in the second half they were not expecting and they couldn't cope with it."

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino was happy with the game up until Cahill headed in the equaliser.

"In the second half I think we were doing well, I think we were controlling the game before we conceded the goals," he said.

"We are obviously angry with the end result. Overall we are frustrated and disappointed with the result."