Two second half goals from Cesc Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic completed an unlikely turnaround for Chelsea and the defending champions moved up to 11th after coming back from a goal down to beat Southampton on Saturday.
Shane Long headed high for the home side but atoned when he pounced on a Baba Rahman blunder before clipping a shot over keeper Thibaut Courtois in the 42nd minute.
In the 34th minute, there was a round of applause for Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who set a new club record for the longest time – 667 minutes – without conceding. He was unable to preserve his unbeaten record until the end of the game, however.
Diego Costa volleyed wide for Chelsea but the visitors equalised when a Fabregas 75th cross crept in.
Chelsea finished strongly and Ivanovic headed in from a Willian corner on minute from regulation time.
Chelsea manager, Guus Hiddink, managed Southampton counterpart, Ronald Koeman, when the pair won the European Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 1988.
They later fell out over Hiddink’s appointment as Netherlands manager in 2014, although both have said there were no hard feelings.
They shared a handshake and a few words before their teams competed in a fascinating match.
Southampton were initially on top but Chelsea showed they had the greater stamina and capitalised on the home side dropping back too much after the break.
Hiddink will not only be pleased with his side’s desire and commitment but the fact they recovered from conceding against a team who had not let in a goal in six games.
The Blues remain unbeaten in the Dutchman’s 11 league games since he took over from Jose Mourinho.
