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Chelsea beat Southampton: Manager Claude Puel gives reasons for defeat
SOUTHAMPTON manager Claude Puel rued defensive tiredness as the reason his side struggled to match Chelsea in their 2-0 defeat at St Mary’s.
Claude Puel says his Southampton team ran out of gas against Chelsea
A lapse in concentration six minutes in gave Chelsea star Eden Hazard enough space in the box to score the opener this afternoon.
And Saints never recovered as Diego Costa also scored when the hosts were caught napping - this time from distance off a quick free-kick.
The result ended Southampton’s five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.
SOUTHAMPTON 0-2 CHELSEA AS IT HAPPENED: RELIVE ALL THE ACTION RIGHT HERE
We played very well in the first half
And Puel conceded that his team eventually ran out of ideas against a Chelsea outfit that secured a fourth top-flight clean sheet on the bounce.
"I think we played very well in the first half with so many possibilities and good play,” he told Sky Sports.
"But it’s difficult to play against this team when you concede a goal after a few minutes. They can play their game with a strong defence and counter-attack.
Eden Hazard (right) scored Chelsea's opener
Diego Costa curled in a second for Chelsea after the break
"We played very well in the first half. In the second we tried but after the second goal it was difficult – because my players were tired.
"It was difficult to find solutions, it’s a disappointment because we tried to play good football. We can do better."