Southampton 0-3 Chelsea: Oscar Inspired Blues Off Bench

Chelsea kept pace with Premier League top two Arsenal and Manchester City by beating European hopefuls Southampton on the South Coast thanks to an inspired substitution. Oscar set up Fernando Torres and Willian before scoring himself to sink the hosts. Torres lashed across the face of the home goal with a minute played as the Saints defence were caught napping. Moments later the Blues striker was set away by Gaston Ramirez's mistake, but Jose Fonte got his teammate out of trouble. Chelsea continued their dominant start with Andre Schurrle fired narrowly wide. Kelvin Davis then had to come smartly off his line and snuff out the danger from Ramires when Torres played him in. Southampton settled and threatened through skipper Adam Lallana, but Ashley Cole blocked his effort after tucking in from left back. Torres then lashed over for the visitors after popping up on the left and racing infield. Mourinho's men were again indebted to England left back Cole as his last-ditch interception denied Jay Rodriguez. Davis then thwarted Eden Hazard at the other end after a one-two with Juan Mata. Lallana meanwhile saw a second attempt blocked by Cesar Azpilicueta. Davis tipped over from Ramires ten minutes before half time. Schurrle also had another effort blocked as the two teams went into the break goalless. The Blues survived a goalmouth scramble after the break whilst the hosts lost left back Luke Shaw to injury. Fonte and fellow Saints centre back Dejan Lovren both had efforts blocked at close quarters when Petr Cech flapped at a corner. Mourinho swiftly made second half changes, hauling Mata and Schurrle for Brazilian pair Oscar and Willian. Oscar celebrated his introduction by getting booked for a dive by referee Martin Atkinson. Chelsea fans thought Davis had brought their player down in the box, but replays confirmed minimal contact and his simulation. Despite this incident, the visitors went ahead on the hour. Oscar's deflected cross-shot looped onto the far post and Torres headed in the rebound. Falling behind prompted Southampton coach Mauricio Pochettino to throw on Rickie Lambert. England striker Lambert soon spurned a chance to equalize as a close range header fell straight at Cech. The Blues made their hosts pay as their subs combined 20 minutes from time and double their lead. Willian curled past Davis after Oscar came infield from the left, beating two men en route to teeing up his teammate. Chelsea added a third late on when Hazard set man of the match Oscar away on the counter. The Saints remain ninth with a third defeat in four games.