Chelsea’s FA Cup defence got off to a brilliant start with a 1-5 thrashing of Southampton. A Demba Ba double and goals each from Victor Moses, Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard were enough to overturn Jay Rodriguez’s goal.

First half

Both teams started the game slowly, Chelsea slower than Southampton. However, the Saints definitely looked the better side as the half went on. Therefore, it was no surprise when they took the lead. A lovely through ball split the Blues defence and Rodriguez calmly slotted the ball past Turnbull. 1-0 to the Saints. Chelsea pressed on and 13 minutes later were level. Brilliant inter-play between Mata and Hazard saw Mata clip the ball over ‘keeper Boruc. Demba Ba, making his Chelsea debut, managed to get a touch on the ball before it went in. 1-1 now. The Blues were now dominating and on the stroke of half-time took the lead. Lovely inter-play between Victor Moses and Ashley Cole saw Cole cut back for Moses, whose volley flew past Boruc. 1-2 to Chelsea at half-time.

Second half

The game was finished only a few minutes into the second half. Mata’s lovely cross was strongly met by Ivanovic who headed past Boruc. 1-3 to Chelsea. Chelsea were now dominating possession and looked likely to score more goals. And that’s what happened. 10 minutes after Ivanovic scored, Hazard passed to Ba who put the ball into the back of the net with his first touch. 1-4 to Chelsea. With the game won, Benitez rung in the changes. Frank Lampard replaced Ivanovic, with Luiz dropping back in defence while Marko Marin replaced Victor Moses on the wing. Chelsea were handed a penalty for handball, and Lampard stepped up to take. He duly converted, and the scoreline was now 1-5 to the Blues. Lampard is now Chelsea’s tied 2nd highest goal-scorer alongside legendary striker Kerry Dixon. In the dying minutes of the game, Mata was replaced by Oscar. The match ended 1-5 to Chelsea.