Ronald Koeman disappointed as Southampton lead Chelsea lead slip

Forget Antonio Conte or other managerial candidates, interim manager Hiddink would be the best man for the job, if only he wanted to stay.

“It will be a big test for Chelsea to see where we are in the Premier League”.

Chelsea’s progression in the cup means that their meeting with Liverpool, initially scheduled for March 13, will now have to be rearranged for a later date.

Costa and Co face some key games against the sides above them in the table over the last dozen matches. “We have a tight schedule”. Then, surprisingly, the Everton game was put on a Saturday instead of a Sunday.

“We have PSG on Wednesday night, which can but hopefully won’t go to extra-time”.

“But maybe something went wrong at that time”.

Yes, this was still a Chelsea performance with many technical flaws but, in how the players turned a 1-0 deficit after 74 minutes into victory, demonstrated just how their basic spirit and desire to win has been replenished over the past four months.

Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas were also wide of the mark when picked out in decent positions, but there was a glorious chance for Costa to make it eight goals in his last nine league outings soon after. I’m in favour of waiting for the player and everyone to say “he’s OK” and wait three days more. “Yes, but I love it – I don’t think I’m doing it for the next one to sit on his chair with a massive cigar”, he said. “It’s five games away, so there’s time, but I’m frustrated by that”.

And he accepts there are plenty of differences between coaching a national side and a club team.

Fabregas beat Forster with a tricky free-kick to equalise Shane Long’s first-half opener, while Ivanovic headed home late on to decide a game played in very windy conditions on the south coast.

Speaking to the Bleacher Report, Branislav Ivanovic has said that he is not surprised that Pato and Chelsea’s second January signing, Matt Miazga, are not match-fit. “We know our ambition”.

Southampton’s fortress in Fraser Forster has not conceded a goal in six games since returning from injury.

Enjoying a run of five wins from their past six fixtures, it was surprising that Southampton manager Ronald Koeman made changes to his team in replacing striker Graziano Pelle with Charlie Austin and recalling right-back Cedric for the unfortunate James Ward-Prowse.

“It’s a nice record (for Forster), because it’s all about the defensive work and organization of the team, and he can be proud of that”.