A superb second-half comeback from Southampton stuns Stamford Bridge and denies Rafa Benitez a much-needed home win. Demba Ba notches a first league goal for the Blues, while strikes for Rickie Lambert and Jason Puncheon ensure that Gameweek 22’s double was a profitable one. With the FA Cup replays covered in the Scout Notes to follow, here’s the Stock Check on tonight’s league action…
On the Up
Demba Ba
The talk before the game was that the Senegalese striker was unlikely to start two matches in the space of four days but, by naming him in the lineup ahead of Fernando Torres, there is perhaps already a pecking order forming. Ba duly took just 25 minutes to again show his quality with a first league strike for his new club. Ba owners will, however, be concerned on possible rotation ahead of the visit of Arsenal and it’s likely that, week-to-week, that threat will remain with Torres waiting in the wings.
Eden Hazard
The Belgian timed a return to form perfectly to reward double Gameweek investors, scoring for the second consecutive match to take him to six goals for the season. With a seven-point return before bonus, Hazard matched the much-fancied Juan Mata in the Gameweek, despite the Spaniard’s hat-trick of assists at Stoke.
César Azpilicueta
The decision to rest Branislav Ivanovic to the bench and retain the Spaniard at right-back could be seen as a huge vote of confidence. While Ivanovic was perhaps due a break, Azpilicueta has now started the last six and 11 of the last 12 league outings. Keep the role for the visit of Arsenal and we can start to consider him as Rafa Bentiez’s first choice for that position, with Ivanovic perhaps destined to compete for the central defensive roles.
Rickie Lambert
Thirteen consecutive league starts came to an end as Nigel Adkins opted to stat with Guly Do Prado in his side, presumably feeling that Lambert needed to rest his legs for the home clash with Everton. Once again, however, he was not to be denied, cracking his second strike of the Gameweek to repay those who showed faith in the Saints’ hitman. With ten goals for the season, Lambert goes on presenting superb value for his modest price tag.
Jason Puncheon
A first goal in six league starts was worth the wait as the Southampton winger silenced the Chelsea fans with a strike of real quality. Like Lambert, Puncheon remains a hugely popular choice at the budget end of the market and, with doubts mounting on Raheem Sterling’s security of start for Liverpool, tonight’s goal will have boosted Puncheon further in the minds of potential suitors searching for a fifth midfielder in their January wildcard selections.
Nathaniel Clyne
The right-back completes Southampton’s trio of strong budget options having returned his third assist of the season in tonight’s game. With Luke Shaw also impressing on the left flank, Nigel Adkins’ side have two 4.0 options that appear to present an attacking intent that warrants interest.
Going Down
Branislav Ivanovic
We can’t be hasty and start to question Ivanovic’s security of start just yet – particularly given the fact that the Serb has started the last 14 competitive matches for the Blues. He was due a rest at some point and Rafa’s decision could be made with the visit of Arsenal in mind. However, having made glaring errors in the recent Capital One Cup tie, Ivanovic owners are suddenly fidgeting at the prospect of the 7.1 valued defender slipping down the pecking order and competing with the likes of Gary Cahill, John Terry and David Luiz for a central defensive role.
Fernando Torres
Does Rafa’s decision to start with Ba once again suggest that, already, the Senegalese striker is in the driving seat for the centre-forward role? The weekend clash with Arsenal will tell us more. Should Torres find himself benched again, it will indicate a pecking order has been established.
David Luiz
Back in defence for the second match running, Luiz owners will now be concerned that Rafa has cooled on the idea of deploying the Brazilian in a midfield role. John Terry’s likely return is set to add to the completion for starts at the back and with Luiz having started the last seven, there will be concern that a rest is also on the horizon.
