Jimmy Smith (pictured) scored the Chelsea goal, an effort for which he should be proud, and coach Mick McGiven will be pleased with an all-round improved showing from the home defeat by Spurs a fortnight ago. 
The first-half was very much a case of smash and grab by Chelsea, the 1-0 lead a good return for two genuine chances.
Over half the Southampton side fielded possessed first team experience and they succeeded in shutting out their opponents for most of the opening period. But although Chelsea’s young guns conceded a lot of possession, they found themselves by no means over-run.
It took until 20 minutes for the first shot in anger at either end, Saints’ Nathan Dyer playing a ball through for Dexter Blackstock to fire comfortably wide.
Then out of the blue, Chelsea scored. There looked little danger when Joe Tillen’s throw-in was returned to him but he expertly threaded a pass through the home rearguard to where Jimmy Smith had burst forward from midfield.
Smith took the ball down with his right, and on the volley flashed it inside the near-post with his left. It was a goal of fine technique.
A spell of Southampton pressure, aided by some scrappy Chelsea defending culminated in the ball hitting the post. A throw from the right was allowed by under-pressure Pettigrew to bounce over his head. David McGoldrick was onto it quickly but his touch hit the post with Pidgeley beaten.
McGoldrick tried his luck from 25 yards further out minutes later having beaten Grant to a loose ball, his shot a worthy effort but wide.
Then a misplaced pass back from Cranie gave Chelsea central striker Phil Younghusband his first sight of goal. It was a very presentable chance but opting for power, he drove it wide of the far post.
Jimmy Smith was booked for scything down McGoldrick close on the break.
There was a moment of concern soon after the restart when Pidgeley spilled a low cross but the Chelsea keeper was brave to reclaim it at the feet of Delap. Dean Smith then became the second Chelsea caution for a second ill-disciplined challenge in quick succession.
Instantly Southampton’s Mills followed into the book for bringing down Danny Hollands.
There was a more confident approach from Chelsea in the second-half; more zip in the midfield play. That makes the manner in which the equaliser was conceded all the more disappointing.
It was a simple punt forward by the goalkeeper that caused all the problems when it was allowed to bounce through to McGoldrick. He had evaded the Chelsea central defence and this time the Saints’ most dangerous player slammed the ball past Pidgeley. It was a lesson for Chelsea’s youngsters.
There was hope for a late winner when Mancienne and Morais rapidly moved the ball straight down the middle of the park but Morais’ ball through to Phil Younghusband was a touch too strong.
Southampton finished strongly with four successive corners followed by a scare when substitute Lallana had two bites at the cherry. Pidgeley beat out his first shot, the second landed on the roof of the net.
Deep into the three minutes stoppage time, Pidgeley with his finest contribution to the game kept out a superbly struck far-post volley from Dyer. The 3,944 crowd were to be denied a home side victory.
Chelsea:
Lenny Pidgeley; Dean Smith, Michael Mancienne, Adrian Pettigrew, Joe Tillen; Jimmy Smith, Anthony Grant, Danny Hollands (c); Filipe Morais (James Younghusband 81), Philip Younghusband, Jonas Elmer (James Simmonds 81).
Southampton:
Paul Smith, Darren Kenton, Martin Cranie, Rory Delap, Michael Svensson, Matthew Mills, Feliciano Condesso, David McGoldrick, Dexter Blackstock (Adam Lallana 54), Yoann Folly (Tim Sparv 45), Nathan Dyer (Josh Dutton-Black 71).
by Paul Mason