Southampton 0 Chelsea 1

Last updated : 22 November 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Chelsea maintained their superb start to the season with a hard-fought win in the driving rain at Southampton in front of the biggest league attendance ever at Saint Mary's of 32,149.

The only goal came in the 47th minute when full-back Mario Melchiot started and finished a three-men move with a low right-foot shot under the body of goalkeeper Antti Niemi.

Chelsea had other chances in the second half, but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Frank Lampard both missed clear openings, while Danny Higginbotham cleared from the line.

Southampton badly missed injured leading scorer James Beattie, who was nursing a calf injury and while there was plenty of enthusiasm from Brett Ormerod and Kevin Phillips, there was no cutting edge.

Southampton had plenty of possession but only in the last ten minutes did they exert enough pressure to suggest an equaliser was on the way. But Phillips held his head in disbelief and shame after heading wide from six yards when scoring looked easier, while Fabrice Fernandes clipped the top of the bar with a left-foot shot.

Southampton manager Gordon Strachan, whose future still remains in doubt, sent on three substitutes in the 69th minute, including Ecuadorian Agustin Delgado for his first appearance in 11 months.

But he could make little impression over the last 20 minutes as Chelsea clung on to their precious lead. Chelsea had defender John Terry booked for a foul in injury-time as Southampton's pressure grew more intense, but the real talking point amongst the crowd was Strachan's future.

As Leeds are reported to be poised to take him to troubled Elland Road, Saint's Chairman Rupert Lowe said he has received no official approach.

Lowe said: "The media have stirred it up, but Gordon is still very much our manager. I have received no communication, official or otherwise from Leeds and so Gordon stays here as far as I am concerned.

"We have always said we would not keep anyone who did not want to be here, but in Gordon's case he is perfectly happy."