Half-time: Chelsea 0 Southampton 1

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Chelsea trail at Stamford Bridge, where a bizarre error by Michael Essien led to Jay Rodriguez scoring after only 13 seconds.

Essien, making his first Premier League start of the season, inexplicably lobbed the ball towards his own goal and over team-mate Gary Cahill, enabling Rodriguez to nip in and shoot past the exposed Petr Cech.

Chelsea pressed for an equaliser but struggled to create clear-cut chances before Oscar’s shot forced a save from Artur Boruc.

And Boruc denied Oscar again four minutes later, diving to his right to keep out the Brazilian’s header from Fernando Torres’ cross.

It was Oscar’s final contribution as he was then replaced by Frank Lampard in what appeared to be a tactical switch by boss Jose Mourinho.

Boruc then produced a fine stop to claw away Torres’ header as Chelsea began to pile on the pressure.

Juan Mata was recalled to the Blues’ starting line-up along with the fit-again Torres, while Essien’s surprise inclusion meant Lampard dropped to the bench.

The high-flying Saints, enjoying the club’s best start to a Premier League season, have won all six league games in which they have opened the scoring this term.

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Essien, Ramires; Mata, Oscar (Lampard 42), Hazard; Torres.
Subs: Cole, Mikel, Schurrle, Willian, Ba.

Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Ward-Prowse, Lallana, Rodriguez, Osvaldo.
Subs: Gazzaniga, Yoshida, Lambert, S Davis, Cork, Chambers, Hooiveld.

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