Chelsea lost consecutive home league games for the first time since 2011 as Southampton earned a key win in their fight against relegation at Stamford Bridge.
The home side never got going during the opening 45 minutes and Michael Obafemi’s superbly taken strike from 18 yards gave Saints a deserved lead.
The introduction of Mason Mount for defender Kurt Zouma at the break threatened to inject energy into Frank Lampard’s side but only a vital Fikayo Tomori intervention prevented the away side a second.
And with 20 minutes remaining, a superb team move saw the ball break for Nathan Redmond and his simple finish from 10 yards wrapped up six points for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
Chelsea lose their first home game on boxing day since 1995.
