Saints secured a stunning victory over Premier League champions Chelsea to claim their first win at Stamford Bridge since 2002.

Ronald Koeman’s men were full value for their 3-1 triumph, which came via goals from Steven Davis, Sadio Mane and Grazniano Pelle after Willian had given the Blues an early lead.

It was a high quality start to the match with two good teams playing some confident football.

Both sides were happy to keep the ball at the back and try and build, but also to break with pace.

Chelsea did exactly that on nine minutes and it resulted in an early booking for former Blues man Oriol Romeu for a blatant trip on Eden Hazard.

It proved costly too as Willian scored directly from the left wing free kick.

He hit an inswinger with his right foot that was flighted high.

Maarten Stekelenburg was perhaps anticipating the cross and was too far off his line to be able to dive and make the save with the ball going in via inside of the far post.

Saints created a decent chance to equalise on 16 minutes.

Dusan Tadic picked up the ball in a central area 25 yards out and committed several Chelsea defenders towards him before switching it outside to the right and Steven Davis.

He had enough space to take a touch to control and line up a shot from just inside the area but he sliced it horribly wide of the near post.

Up the other end Oscar tried his luck from 20 yards out but blazed over.

Hazard was the next to have a go but his low strike was straight down the middle and comfortable for Stekelenburg.

Chelsea were starting to look very dangerous and some neat interplay gave Oscar the chance to shoot in the box but it ended up a relatively simple stop for Stekelenburg.

Ryan Bertrand was the next player in the book after bringing down Willian following a bit of rough and tumble between the pair.

Saints had strong appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Robert Madley on 33 minutes as Sadio Mane cut outside Ramires and he burst into the top left hand corner of the area. The Chelsea midfielder swung a leg to try and reach the ball and Mane hit the deck.

Though Mane did go down theatrically, replays clearly showed contact as Ramires hacked towards the ball but only got the Saints man.

A minute later Mane looked hopefully towards Madley again, but this time was booked for a perceived dive after a challenge by Branislav Ivanovic, who had got away with one earlier after clearly pulling down Virgil van Dijk in a crowded Chelsea penalty area.

Asmir Begovic had to be alert to keep out Victor Wanyama’s left wing cross that threatened to drop in but showed good athleticism to turn it wide.

Saints were enjoying a terrific spell before half time and Begovic had to be on form again as Mane threaded a pass that put Bertrand in behind but the Blues stopper rushed from his line and stayed big to block the shot from a tight angle before Ramires collected a yellow card.

A minute before the break Saints got the equaliser they had richly deserved.

It was basic but effective football.

Daily Echo:

A free kick just inside the Saints half was played square to Jose Fonte, he lofted it high to Graziano Pelle who was strong and chested it square to Steven Davis who struck a peach of a right footed half volley from just outside the area that whistled into the bottom corner.

Both sides made a change at the break with James Ward-Prowse and Nemanja Matic replacing Romeu and Ramires.

Saints started the second half firing and had a couple of chances to take the lead.

Daily Echo:

The first saw Mane picked out in the area by Tadic but Begovic spread himself wide to make the save. The second was created by fantastic skill from Tadic and a cut back from the left by-line to Mane whose shot was blocked in the area before Ward-Prowse put the follow-up wide.

Chelsea had their turn to have a penalty shout turned down as Radamel Falcao went down under the challenge of Stekelenburg who dive din at his feet. Falcao was going down already but there was clear contact, making a booking for diving look a little harsh.

Saints stunned Chelsea by taking the lead on the hour mark.

Daily Echo:

Pelle played an incisive pass that John Terry couldn’t cut out and Mane spun in behind. His shot was half saved by the legs of Begovic but had enough on it to get over the line.

Chelsea made an attacking change with Pedro replacing Willian.

It made little difference though as Saints made it 3-1 with a stunning counter attack on 72 minutes.

Daily Echo:

Mane picked the ball up deep in his own half and flew up the middle of the pitch and played the ball to his left and Pelle. He took the ball on in the area and then drilled an unstoppable low right footed shot across goal and into the far corner.

Chelsea made their final change moments later with Loic Remy coming on for Matic.

Mane was causing mayhem and after getting to the left by-line cut back to Tadic who picked the wrong option, choosing to hold the ball and then shoot and was closed down.

Daily Echo:

Jay Rodriguez was the next Saints change as he replaced Tadic before Maya Yoshida came on for Mane.

Falcao threatened with a 20 yard free kick that flicked the top of the wall and went over but otherwise Saints saw it out with relative comfort to complete a memorable win.