Southampton's five-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to a disappointing end as Claude Puel's side slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to in-form Chelsea on Sunday.
Saints never recovered from a nightmare start after allowing Eden Hazard to open the scoring with only six minutes played.
Diego Costa's long-range curler 10 minutes into the second half ended any hopes Puel's men had of mounting a fightback.
Steven Davis' second half header against the top of the crossbar was as close as Southampton came to scoring.
Positives
Not many sides in the country would have lived with Chelsea on this form so Southampton did well to restrict the visitors to scoring two goals.
Oriol Romeu continued his impressive form with another solid performance against one of his old clubs.
Negatives
Southampton have been creating chances for fun of late so it will worry manager Puel they only managed one shot on target in the entire game.
Charlie Austin was isolated up front as Nathan Redmond failed to get involved in the game. Fraser Forster's handling also looked suspect as the Saints back-line was not as watertight as usual, leaving their goalkeeper exposed at times.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- Not many fans would have argued with Puel's team selection, although why the underwhelming Jordy Clasie is continually preferred to Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg is a mystery.
Puel did nothing to alter the course of proceedings with his substitutions and could not find a way to break Chelsea down after they scored early and were content to sit deep and hit on the break for the remainder of the game.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Fraser Forster, 5 -- Will have been disappointed to let Hazard's early goal go in through his legs and, while Costa's thunderbolt shot was unstoppable, his handling was not up to its usual high standards.
DF Cuco Martina, 4 -- Both of Chelsea's goals originated down his side of the pitch and the right-back was run ragged by the sensational Hazard. His attempt to stop Costa getting a shot away for his goal was laughable.
DF Jose Fonte, 6 -- Like many of his teammates, Fonte struggled to get to grips with Chelsea's all-action front trio of Costa, Hazard and Pedro.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 6 -- Not at his best up against the man-mountain Costa. Looked a little tired after playing the bulk of Southampton's Premier League and Europa League matches this season.
DF Ryan Bertrand, 6 -- A welcome return to the fold after injury for the England international, but Bertrand found it tough going against his former employers. One brilliant second half cross headed over by Austin was the highpoint of his afternoon.
MF Oriol Romeu, 7 -- Wanted to show Chelsea what they were missing, and while the Spaniard was unable to change the game in Saints' favour he was still their standout performer.
MF Jordy Clasie, 5 -- Moment he was disposed cheaply by Nemanja Matic at the end of the first half leading to a Chelsea chance was in keeping with another disappointing display from the out-of-form Dutchman.
MF Steven Davis, 6 -- Did not do enough to stop Hazard for the opening goal but the Northern Irishman kept his chin up and grafted away in the middle of the park.
MF Dusan Tadic, 5 -- The Serbian has been in superb form this season but did not see enough of the ball to worry a stubborn and efficient Chelsea defence.
FW Charlie Austin, 6 -- Southampton's top-scorer was starved of service and rarely looked likely to add to his goal haul. When he did get the ball in the net late on, the assistant referee correctly spotted he had strayed offside, summing up Austin's frustration.
FW Nathan Redmond, 5 -- Redmond spoke about wanting to emulate Hazard prior to the game but, on this display, is a long way short of achieving that lofty ambition. Invisible throughout.
Substitutes
MF Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, NR -- Southampton fans want to see the former Bayern Munich man given a regular run in the team.
MF Soufiane Boufal, 5 -- Could not emulate the sensational start he made to his Southampton career when scoring a wonder-goal vs. Sunderland in the EFL Cup in midweek.
MF Sam McQueen, NR -- Unlucky to lose his place to the fit-again Bertrand after impressing in the former Chelsea man's absence but may have to get used to life on the bench now Bertrand is fit.