John Terry marked his 400th Premier League appearance with a crucial goal as Chelsea recovered from conceding inside 13 seconds to beat Southampton 3 – 1 and go second on the table.
The Blues had actually moved up a place on goal difference before kick-off, following Liverpool’s defeat at Hull earlier in the day.
But their hopes of staying there took an instant hit when an inexplicable Michael Essien volley allowed Jay Rodriguez to run through and put the visitors ahead.
However a vastly improved second-half performance, full of purpose, saw Chelsea take control of the match.
In another match, two Wayne Rooney goals earned Manchester United a point at White Hart Lane as they fought back twice to deny Tottenham a much-needed victory.
Kyle Walker put Tottenham ahead with a free-kick that flew under the United wall, but his mistake from a Phil Jones cross saw Rooney pounce to level.
Sandro fizzed a 25-yard shot into the top corner to restore Spurs’ lead.
But United responded quickly when Hugo Lloris fouled Danny Welbeck in the box and Rooney fired home from the spot.
