Southampton vs Chelsea LIVE: Result and reaction from Premier League fixture today

Follow all the action live from St Mary’s

Mason Mount converts from the spot (Getty)

Follow all the action as Southampton host Chelsea in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off.

After such a fantastic first half of the season, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side now find themselves trapped in a desperate slump, losing all of their last six league games in succession, including a harrowing 9-0 defeat by Manchester United. The Saints briefly topped the table at one stage but have now dropped down to 13th, with their hopes of securing European football now all but extinguished.

However, Chelsea’s fortunes have improved markedly since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, even if a title charge is already beyond the Blues. The club have won five out of six games in all competitions since Frank Lampard was sacked and currently sit fourth, just four points adrift of second-placed Manchester United. There was relief for Timo Werner, too, in a 2-0 victory against Newcastle last time out, with the forward finally bringing his torrid goal drought to an end. Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz have both returned to full training ahead of the fixture, but Tuchel will already have one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid and may choose to rotate his starting line-up. Follow all the action live below:

READ MORE: Could Chelsea win the Champions League?

Southampton vs Chelsea

• Kicked off at 12.30pm
• Southampton: McCarthy; Salisu, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Djenepo, Ward-Prowse (C), Romeu, Minamino; Ings, Redmond
• Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta (C), Zouma, Rudiger; James, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Abraham, Werner

[20 February 2021 12:53 · Callum Rice-Coates]

SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 CHELSEA (23’)

Alonso is proving a menace on the left flank. Zouma picks him out with a raking diagonal ball, but Djenepo comes across to block the wing-back’s cross. The corner that follows is taken short, and Alonso sends the ball straight down the throat of the goalkeeper.

[20 February 2021 12:51 · Callum Rice-Coates]

SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 CHELSEA (21’)

Chelsea, as they have so often since Tuchel’s appointment, continue to work the ball patiently, almost suffocating their opposition. They almost create another opening as Alonso fires a low cross into the box. It nearly drops for Mount, but Vestergaard is on hand to hack clear.

[20 February 2021 12:48 · Callum Rice-Coates]

SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 CHELSEA (18’)

Again, Chelsea are able to penetrate the Southampton press. Mount cuts inside from the right and finds Werner, who tries to feed Alonso, in space to his left. The pass is heavy and runs out for a goal kick, and on the touchline Tuchel looks furious.

[20 February 2021 12:44 · Callum Rice-Coates]

SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 CHELSEA (14’)

Chelsea are dominant here, forcing Southampton back into their own half. Alonso has a cross blocked and then gives the hosts some respite with a foul on Redmond.

[20 February 2021 12:42 · Callum Rice-Coates]

SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 CHELSEA (12’)

Kante looks sharp early on, which will please Tuchel. Southampton seem slightly hesitant, understandable given their recent run. They’re defending doggedly, though. Mount is held up on the right flank, but Kante manages to burst towards the byline and dig out a cross. McCarthy plucks it out of the air.

[20 February 2021 12:39 · Callum Rice-Coates]

SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 CHELSEA (8’)

Kante does well to control a high ball with his chest, drive forward and slide a pass through towards Abraham. Salisu reads it, coming across to intercept in the box.

[20 February 2021 12:36 · Callum Rice-Coates]

SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 CHELSEA (6’)

Chelsea cut through Southampton’s high press and Werner races away down the left. He finds Mount, who sweeps the ball out to James on the right. His clipped ball to the back post is met by Alonso, who drags a volley wide. A promising start for the visitors.

[20 February 2021 12:34 · Callum Rice-Coates]

SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 CHELSEA (3’)

James curls a pass towards Werner, but it’s just too long for the German and runs through to McCarthy. Southampton seem to have started with a back four, despite claims they were matching up with Tuchel’s back three.

[20 February 2021 12:31 · Callum Rice-Coates]

KICK-OFF

The players take a knee, and Southampton get us underway!

[20 February 2021 12:27 · Callum Rice-Coates]

The players make their way out at St Mary’s. We’ll be underway shortly.