Southampton 1–1 Chelsea
A below-par Chelsea laboured to a point at St Mary's with the issue of diving again raising its ugly head after a contentious yellow card for Cesc Fabregas.
Blues went behind and only equalised against the run of play in a game where they simply didn't offer enough to overly challenge Southampton.
The main omission from Jose Mourinho's side was Brazilian midfielder Oscar, who was left at home with an illness.
After a very equal, perhaps slightly uninspiring opening, it was the hosts who first took the initiative, tearing-up the visitors' script in the 18th minute.
A perfectly weighted long ball from Dusan Tadic dropped just in front of Sadio Mane close to the edge of the Blues' box.
He outpaced John Terry, turned and sent a dipping chip over Thibaut Courtois for the lead.
Southampton, without dominating, looked very much in charge of a Chelsea side with little evidence of imagination.
They closed down the Blues' few creative attempts well, and played an effective break which, without really threatening, certainly caused bother.
And so it was against the run of play that Chelsea found themselves level.
A long pinpoint ball from Fabregas picked out Eden Hazard – on his fifth start in 15 days, and showing less signs than most of fatigue in the skills department.
The Belgian took the ball almost to the goal line, before cutting back, beating four defenders, and sending a low angle shot past Fraser Forster. Sheer brilliance.
Mourinho made a change at the break with Willian replacing Andre Schurrle, who was experiencing the latest in a troubling series of off days.
Chelsea did look more focussed for the switch, and they had a chance 10 minutes after the restart which was to provide one of the day's big talking points.
Fabregas, roaming into the Saints' area, went down after apparently tripping over Matt Targett's leg. The Spaniard appealed for a penalty – while referee Anthony Taylor reached for his pocket to show a yellow to the midfielder for simulation.
Amid all of the hysteria about 'diving', it felt like Taylor had been pushed into making a black or white decision, when the incident involved was distinctly grey.
Chelsea hurled everything forward in search of the winner. But, despite sending the final few minutes with a numerical advantage thanks to a second yellow for Morgan Schneiderlin, it never came.
Manchester City are now snapping at Chelsea's heels at the top of the table. But with the punishing schedule that December served up, most would probably have taken only five dropped points in the month.
Chelsea, however, must win at Tottenham on New Years Day.
