Olivier Giroud Brace Leads Chelsea to Comeback Win vs. Southampton

Three second-half goals in the space of nine minutes from Chelsea turned Southampton's day from a dream into a nightmare, as they were downed 3-2 by the Blues at St Mary's on Saturday.

Saints looked set to climb out the Premier League's relegation zone after centre-back Jan Bednarek put them 2-0 up on the hour, with Dusan Tadic having opened the scoring midway through the first half.

They looked comfortable for much of the game against the champions but collapsed when substitute Olivier Giroud rose to make it 2-1 with 20 minutes to go.

Eden Hazard had time to take a touch and equalise from seven yards in the 75th minute, and three minutes later, Giroud smashed home the winner to complete the turnaround. 

Brilliant Bertrand Puts Saints on Top

Tadic may have netted the hosts' opener on Saturday, but it was Ryan Bertrand who did most of the work.

A brilliant burst of pace saw him latch on to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's well-weighted ball on the left flank. The England international shrugged off Cesar Azpilicueta in fine fashion and surged into the box before cutting back to Tadic to sweep home.

The Blues should have been live to the danger given the left-back's history at the west London club.

Bednarek Exposes Chelsea Back Line

Saints' second goal was surprising for how unsurprising it was. Chelsea's response to going behind had been poor, and when James Ward-Prowse lined up a well-positioned free-kick on the hour, the home crowd rose in anticipation.

The Englishman swung in a delightful ball from the right, and Bednarek ghosted in at the back post and guided home his first goal for the club.

It was a notable strike for a number of reasons—but most crucially, it looked to have wrapped up all three points for Saints.

Giroud Inspires Comeback

Giroud has largely been limited to cameo appearances since his winter move to Chelsea from Arsenal, and again on Saturday, manager Antonio Conte threw the France international on with less than half an hour to go.

His impact against Saints was his most significant contribution in a Blues shirt. Rising between two defenders, he nodded home Chelsea's first goal from Marcos Alonso's ball to induce panic in the hosts.

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And after Hazard converted from Willian's fizzed delivery minutes later, he was on the scoresheet again.

What's Next?

Both Chelsea and Saints have midweek Premier League matches to negotiate before they meet again at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup semi-finals on April 22.

The Blues travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley on Thursday. Southampton have a trip to Leicester City that same night, which is a must-win encounter for Mark Hughes' side if they are to have any hope of staying in the Premier League.