Chelsea lack pep as Rafa remains in fans’ firing line

Chelsea 2 Southampton 2

On the day Roman Abramovich’s long-term courtship of the former Barcelona coach was finally brought to an end after Guardiola announced he was taking up the challenge of leading Bayern Munich, the Chelsea owner’s stop-gap appointment suffered another excruciating evening in front of what are supposed to be his home supporters.

Impressive on their travels yet stuttering on home turf, Benitez’s side followed successive home defeats to Queens Park Rangers and Swansea by squandering a two-goal half-time lead against a side they had crushed 5-1 at St Mary’s Stadium less than two weeks previously.