Chelsea 3-3 Southampton: The one that went from Oktoberfest to quite a mess

Dominated possession. Struck early. Had the game under control. Individual costly errors. Points dropped. Sound familiar? It should. Not because it happened against a stubborn Southampton side, but because it just keeps happening again and again. In five of the last 10 games that Chelsea either drew or lost, they scored first. Failure to kill these sorts of games off will certainly keep them out of the title race, if not the top four if individual errors aren't quickly phased out.

Frank Lampard is still a very young manager in terms of experience. He has just two full seasons managing a club, and only one at Premier League level. There's going to be a learning curve. And with the pulling power he has with talent and the enthusiasm that he boosts both players and fans with, it's inconceivable that he won't be a success. But, it will take time. Patience is a virtue, unless you're a reactionary knob on Twitter.

Saints vs Chelsea: The one that sent Chelsea to another final

Saints left on the floor at the sight of Giroud's nips

Antonio Conte has lead Chelsea to their second FA Cup final in as many years. While some of the warm and fuzzies that he cultivated last season may have waned throughout this season, it’s still a great feeling to reach another final. Setting up some intense ‘narrative’ which will go head to head with the Royal Wedding. I have no doubt that Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte will play their parts to ensure the limelight is firmly planted on Wembley come May 19th. Sorry Ginge Prince (and that girl from Suits).

Saints vs Chelsea: The One Fraser Forster Conceded A Goal & Another Goal

Man On!!!!

Chelsea’s most recent encounters with Southampton have been overshadowed with a bit of controversy. Last year’s trip to St. Mary’s saw the penalty that wasn’t against Cesc Fàbregas which led to *those* comments about a campaign against Chelsea. Impossible to forget as it was trudged out at any given opportunity. The reverse fixture this season saw Jose Mourinho respond to a single question with a 7 minute rant which stopped just short of him daring the club to sack him.

And we all know how that eventually ended.

Chelsea vs Southampton: The One Chelsea Lost At Home Again

That Bench Life

Saturday started well, didn’t it? The sun was shining, some of us enjoyed a bubbly libation before heading to the ground and the captain was reinstated into Chelsea’s back four. What could possibly go wrong? Nothing against Southampton who were fantastic last season, but there away record was literally on par with that of Newcastle’s before they got to Stamford Bridge. That means 10 actual Premier League games away from St Mary’s without a win. TEN!

Chelsea vs Southampton: The One Where Fans Looked for a Scapegoat

Fabregas: 24 goals+assists in 38 games. Everyone calm down

If the overreactions at the final whistle on Sunday were anything to go by, anyone would have thought Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against the best defence in the country saw the West London side receive a points deduction that saw them slip into mid-table obscurity. An excellent second half performance was met with actual booing and Twitter outrage. For any fan out there, if you genuinely expect to win every game 5-0 - do everyone a favour and just stay home.

After Manchester City’s embarrassing defeat to Burnley, Sunday’s early kick-off was the perfect opportunity for Chelsea to pull that much further ahead in the title race. So the draw may have felt a little more like a loss than it should have. But it wasn’t exactly the worst thing to ever happen in the history of time. The discontent was palpable - and isn’t going to do the players any favours in the lead up to the end of the season.

Southampton vs Chelsea: Saints & Sinners

Oh Hello 2014

Fernando Torres' New Year's resolution: score more goals.

With so much being made of no Chelsea striker scoring away from home in the Premier League for the whole of 2013, you had to have known that Torres was going to score on New Years Day. Had to. OK, even if you didn't know, I knew for you. Oh, I knew ....

Fernando Torres carried on from his brief cameo against his former shell suit sporting club like a man possessed. Not one to sit back and wait for service, Torres only went and dribbled circles around Southampton's midfield. Of course that did him and Chelsea no good in the first half, but it sure did look impressive.

West Ham vs Chelsea: Hammers 0-2 Frank Lampard (& Oscar 1)

Jose: Forever Bursting Bubbles

For all the hype surrounding the 'friendly derby', the fact that Chelsea were away to West Ham seemed to fly under the radar. A completely sensible idea to have these supporters spend most of the day drinking before hitting up Upton Park … In no way was anyone more riled up from half the District Line being shut down causing absolute havoc for just about anyone trying to get to the ground.

Benitez: Tinkering Himself Out of Future Employment as Chelsea lose to Saints

What's that smell? Definitely not integrity

Well the good news for Chelsea is that Rafa Benitez is definitely leaving at the end of the season. The bad news for Chelsea is that Rafa Benit... no, it’s still good he’s leaving. It’s bad news that he is very clearly choosing personal glory over what’s best for the club. Some may address the ‘could you blame him?’ trope. I like to call those people wrong. No surprise they are some of the same people were onside with Ferdinand’s vacation in Qatar rather than report for England duty.

When the lineup was announced, it was clear that players were being rested for Monday’s FA Cup replay with United, and that the league is in no way being prioritised. Ridiculous decisions all around. Normally sensible to rest Hazard after he played 180 minutes for Belgium mid-week, but with Mata out, he should definitely have started. Bentiez usually misses a trick by never starting Mazacar, two of the three members of this triumvirate should be first on the teamsheet week in and week out.

This Weekend in the Premier League ... Chelsea manage a win! City and Liverpool Do Not

Cech feels oddly protective of his
ball(s) around Cole 

As it's already Tuesday, there should really be some thought provoking analysis from the weekend in this space. And if that's what you're expecting, you may just want to stop now. Feel free to read any future pieces here though, don't let the haphazard nature of this one put you off. (Although the pictures clearly make your venture here completely worth it - words are overrated) My approach to this week's writing is similar to that of Chelsea's interim manager - cliched, formulaic and only successful by some whiff of luck.

If you were lucky enough to merely catch Match of the Day or -just- the scoreline from Chelsea's match with Wigan it was flattering to say the least. 4-1 was a bit harsh on a Wigan side that were organised and looked like they would draw level at any point. Chelsea's first half was what we've all come to expect at this point - although with excellent contributions from Azpilicueta (no need for the "Dave" bollocks here) and even one Fernando Torres. He may be the favourite whipping boy, but he looked lively and if it weren't for Al Habsi being on top of matters, would have scored. This all does of course mean, Benitez has blagged himself at least another week of like for like substitutions. #Fahct