Spoils shared after six-goal thriller

Chelsea looked home and dry following a dominant first period, which contained a well-executed brace from Timo Werner, but star man Danny Ings gave Saints life shortly before the break, and a platform from which to build.

Ché Adams grabbed his first goal of the campaign following a bizarre misunderstanding between Kurt Zouma and Kepa, before a further two goals were scored by Kai Havertz and Vestergaard respectively.

The point was no less than Saints' performance warranted after a resurgent second 45 minutes, where new boy - or old boy dependent on your viewpoint - Theo Walcott fittingly provided the assist for a stoppage time leveler.

Plenty of talking points from a thrilling Premier League encounter, one that Saints will surely take great confidence from, having been twice behind, but twice able to stage a comeback.

All the preliminary chat centered around the much-anticipated presence of Walcott, following his return to the club from Everton a fortnight ago, and in the absence of Stuart Armstrong, a second Southampton debut appeared irresistible from the outset.

Indeed, the number 32 adorned the teamsheet come 2pm, the same number Walcott wore in his teenage years at Saints - representing one of two changes to the team that dispatched West Brom last time out.

And with nostalgia dominating pre-match proceedings, Saints were hoping the performance was too reminiscent of a previous time, having delivered perhaps the best 90-minute showing of 2019/20 at Stamford Bridge last term. Suffice to say, 2020/21's edition did not disappoint.

Encouragingly, there was also a place on the bench for fellow newcomer Ibrahima Diallo, poised to make his first appearance in a Saints shirt, with Hasenhüttl clear about the need to bolster options in midfield before the summer window concluded.

The hosts began vibrantly, quick to seize control of the opening exchanges. Chelsea looked purposeful in attack and forced Alex McCarthy into a double save within minutes, denying both Ben Chilwell and Havertz instinctively.

Debut day, part two, began brightly for winger Walcott, who looked to have been given free license to reign down the right, as he linked well with Adams in the ninth minute but wasn’t able to destabilise Kepa with a tame finish.

Werner did convert Chilwell’s cross moments later, but the linesman’s flag was raised quickly, which only temporarily diverted the danger. A brilliant solo run from the determined German made Saints pay in the 16th minute, as he dribbled his way into a shooting position before firing low past an unsighted McCarthy. The initial dummy to engineer the space was clever, with Jan Bednarek caught out, as Saints suffered first blow.

Blessed with an overwhelming amount of attacking talent, Chelsea continued to dominate the first quarter, with Mason Mount looking to make an impression on the scoreline 26 minutes in, wriggling free in the box but unable to get purchase on the shot.

Werner’s presence spelt more trouble for Saints in the next wave of attack, though. Jorginho played a pass from deep in search of the striker who was tussling with Bednarek. Maintaining his balance, he somehow managed to lift the ball over McCarthy before charging towards goal to apply the finishing touch with his head.

Jorginho will be unlucky not to be credited with the assist, but in truth Werner created the opportunity himself with a shrewd piece of forward play, outwitting the Saints defence once more.

The power of Chelsea in the final third was telling, but equally apparent were their vulnerabilities defensively, something that Saints’ leading marksman was keen to exploit. It had been a quiet afternoon for the England international prior to the 43rd minute, but Ings was nevertheless alert when an opportunity eventually presented itself. He was made to wait, but no less clinical when called upon.

Havertz's mistake instigated the chance, caught on the ball in his own half by Adams, allowing Ings the opening he needed to deceive Kepa with a wonderful touch before slotting into a gaping goal, halving the deficit before a half-time breather. A beacon of hope for the visitors, executed perfectly by the eminent Ings.

Saints appeared rejuvenated by the lifeline and began the second period with vigour. Ings spearheaded each attack, giving the Chelsea backline plenty to think about, as a low diagonal effort flew no more than a foot wide of the upright in the 54th minute.

As if by magic, confidence began streaming through the visitors’ forward play, forcing Chelsea into a comedy of errors three minutes later. Zouma looked to have some routine tidying up to do, attempting to play the ball back to Kepa but under-hitting his pass by quite some distance.

Kepa then raced off his line to atone for the defender’s miscalculation, only to have it dinked past him by Adams. A melee followed. It involved both Ings and Adams, before the ball fell kindly to the latter and he rifled into the roof of the net to level the scores.

Joy was transitory for Saints, as no sooner had they celebrated the equaliser, they found themselves once again trailing. A frantic half showed no signs of stopping as Chelsea hit on the break in the 59th minute, leading to an easy finish for Havertz. Christian Pulisic started the move, playing in Werner down the right who squared to an unmarked Havertz centrally; advantage Chelsea, again.

Frustratingly, momentum had swung Saints’ way momentarily, but the home side’s firepower proved devastating in most situations, not least on the counter-attack, with pace and precision that would cut through most backlines.

Life in the game yet, Adams had another chance to restore parity in the 78th minute, squandering an effort presented to him by Walcott. Saints certainly weren’t going down without a fight.

Sandwiched between a couple of half chances for Chelsea was another break for Ings, who forced a good save from Kepa through a thicket of legs. Walcott again was the provider but to no avail for Saints who were desperately trying to salvage something from a thoroughly entertaining game.

Nathan Tella and Shane Long were introduced for the final 10 minutes – fresh attacking impetus – as was Diallo, making his debut late on. Saints continued to chase the game, willing the ball forward at every possibility. There looked to be at least one more notable chance left in it. Indeed, there was.

Ryan Bertrand’s free-kick from the left was collected by Walcott, who attempted the shot which landed fortuitously onto the head of Vestergaard, as he glanced it goalward and watched the ball settle in the far corner. And as if an injury time leveler wasn’t enough for Saints, there was still time for one last crack at a shell-shocked Chelsea, with Walcott dragging an effort wide of the mark. What a fairytale ending that could have been! Not to be, but an afternoon of excitement rewarded with an all-important point all the same, as Saints extend their unbeaten run to three games.