Chelsea edged past Southampton thanks to Marcos Alonso’s winner to move level on points with second-placed Manchester United in the Premier League.
Alonso’s long-range free-kick beat Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster to put the hosts ahead in injury time of a first half the hosts had dominated.
Eden Hazard thought he had doubled the Blues’ lead after the break, but Cesc Fabregas was flagged offside in the build-up.
Pedro hit the post and Fabregas shot wide as Southampton, now winless in five matches, rode their luck at Stamford Bridge.
It is an eighth win in 10 league games for Antonio Conte’s side, who are 11 points adrift of leaders Manchester City alongside Manchester United.
READ: Mesut Ozil scores screamer as Arsenal down Newcastle
However, United, who boast a better goal difference than Chelsea, face West Brom on Sunday.
Chelsea classy but not clinical
Conte said his expectation was “to suffer” before Saturday’s game, but his side were in complete control throughout.
They should have been in front long before Alonso’s speculative, curling free-kick from distance that caught Forster out low to his right.
Willian, Hazard and Pedro impressed with intricate passing and neat footwork – but with forward Hazard dropping off when marshalled by a deep-lying Southampton back five, Chelsea were lacking a cutting edge and focal point in the area.
???? Video courtesy of @marcosalonso03's left foot! #CHESOU pic.twitter.com/z8eMqp6Azo
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 16, 2017
Conte opted to keep striker Michy Batshuayi on the bench, while top scorer Alvaro Morata – who has been watching videos of club legend Didier Drogba’s goals for the Blues – was only deemed fit enough to also sit among the substitutes.
Chelsea’s club record signing was given the final 17 minutes to prove he was up to speed in an attempt to put the game beyond Southampton – and he very nearly did with a smart turn and strike soon after coming on.
The Spaniard combined with compatriot and fellow substitute Fabregas for the latter to force another save from Forster late on.
It was Fabregas who teed up Hazard for the Belgium forward’s only shot on goal, which found the net but was ruled out for offside.
Southampton are now without a win in five games since beating Everton in November, although during that run they have been narrowly beaten by runaway leaders Manchester City and conceded a late equaliser against Arsenal.
It was a much more disciplined performance than Wednesday’s 4-1 drubbing by Leicester, and they frustrated champions Chelsea until the third minute of injury time in the first half.
Boss Mauricio Pellegrino made six changes, with defender Virgil van Dijk, long linked with a move away from the club, one of those to drop to the bench.
Charlie Austin – with two goals in three games prior to Saturday’s defeat – was another to find himself left out, but it was the striker’s arrival on the hour mark that seemed to offer Saints their most likely route back into the match.
He forced a save from Thibaut Courtois with his first touch and managed Southampton’s only other shot on target, though Chelsea were never really troubled.
Southampton are now just three points above the relegation zone, with the visit of Huddersfield next Saturday taking on added importance before tricky trips to Tottenham on 26 December and Manchester United four days later.
