SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP)
Fernando Torres helped Chelsea to a 3-0 victory over Southampton on Wednesday as the Blues kept pace with their title rivals in the Premier League.
The Spain striker broke the deadlock on the hour mark at St. Mary's,
heading home a deflected cross from close range. Chelsea's substitutes
then combined to deliver the second, with Oscar cutting in from the left
to set up Willian for a powerful shot from the edge of the area in the
71st minute.
Oscar put the result beyond doubt with a clinical finish in the 82nd
minute after Eden Hazard and Ramires linked up to put the Brazilian
through.
Chelsea remains third in the standings, a point behind Manchester City and two adrift of league leader Arsenal after the top three sides all won on Wednesday.
Chelsea has not been firing on all cylinders since Jose Mourinho
returned to Stamford Bridge, yet the ruthless edge that epitomized his
first spell continues to shine through. There were few chances of note
in the opening 45 minutes, with last-ditch blocks and wayward finishing
keeping the score goalless. Southampton wasted decent chances during a
penalty-box melee in the early minutes of the second half - missed
opportunities which the team was left to rue as Chelsea took control of
the game.
Having just been booked, Southampton's Gaston Ramirez swung in a corner
that triggered the melee in which Dejan Lovren and Jose Fonte had
attempts blocked, with the latter unsuccessfully claiming handball.
Referee Martin Atkinson was soon called into action, though. Put
through on goal by Hazard, Oscar was adjudged to have taken a tumble
when looking to round goalkeeper Kelvin Davis. The Chelsea man was booed
but quickly made amends, sending in the cross from which Chelsea took
the lead.
The playmaker's ball took a deflection off Calum Chambers, hitting the
post, and the unmarked Torres reacted quickest to bundle home the
rebound. It was the first away league goal by a Chelsea striker since
the Spaniard netted on December 8, 2012, against Sunderland.
Southampton pressed for an equalizer and substitute Rickie Lambert headed straight at Petr Cech.
Chelsea were on top, though, and Oscar, impressing since his
53rd-minute introduction, squared a pass to countryman and fellow
substitute Willian, who fired a low strike into the bottom right-hand
corner to make it 2-0.
Saints were left chasing shadows for the remainder of the game and it
was no surprise when Oscar completed the scoring with eight minutes
remaining.
A quick break saw Hazard play through the Brazilian, who fired past
Davis at his near post to wrap up a comprehensive victory and secure
Chelsea's fourth win in five matches.