Tore Andre Flo and Gustavo Poyet were the scorers for the second successive match as Chelsea stepped up their title challenge with maximum points at The Dell.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Steve Wilson reports from the Dell

The pair, also on target against Tottenham last weekend, took the Blues back to the Premiership table for a few hours at least

But Poyet's pleasure was short-lived as he was stretchered off after a bad challenge by Southampton debutant Patrick Colleter.

"In the vital part of the pitch they were that little bit brighter. They made five or six passes when we were only stringing one or two together," admitted Saints manager Dave Jones.

"We battled hard but they have got quality players all over the pitch. I thought Zola's runs today were something special."

Blues boss takes a break

Chelsea player-coach Gianluca Vialli decided not to rush back into action after the Christmas festivities and restored striker Flo to the starting line-up.

Bjarne Goldbaek of Chelsea tangles with Carlton Palmer

Saints had defender Ken Monkou back in action but another Chelsea old boy, Mark Hughes, was ruled out by suspension.

The visitors were quickest to settle but Flo and Bjarne Goldbaek were well off target with early attempts at goal.

Matt Le Tissier gave Chelsea 'keeper Ed de Goey a couple of anxious moments with two inswinging corners before the Londoners took the lead in the 20th minute.

Tore-Andre Flo scores the first goal (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Jody Morris freed Gianfranco Zola down the left flank and he produced a perfect ball for Flo to beat Paul Jones with a volley from eight yards.

Jones prevented Goldbaek from making it two with a flying save and Claus Lundekvam came to the rescue with a vital challenge as Flo tried to work the space for another shot.

Southampton's attacks lacked a cutting edge and Stuart Ripley's ambitious 40-yard chip was their best effort as the opening half came to a close.

Blues punish Jones blunder

Gustavo Poyet: A simple tap-in

The home side's chances of mounting a comeback were dealt a fatal blow just three minutes after the re-start.

Romanian Dan Petrescu sent a hopeful cross over from the right but it bounced up sharply from the slippery surface, cuasing Jones to fumble and midfielder Poyet tapped the loose ball home for his 11th of the season.

Gustavo Poyet score Chelsea's second (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Morris and Celestine Babayaro collected yellow cards as Southampton tried to rally and Albert Ferrer needed to be alert to halt Egil Ostenstad's powerful run.

Colleter, a £100,000 buy from Marseille, was the next player booked for a 73rd minute tackle which ended Poyet's involvement.

Tore Andre Flo: "If you're top, you're in the best position" (BBC Radio 5 Live)

But Chelsea still looked the more dangerous side and Michael Duberry headed home a Zola corner, only for his effort to be disallowed for a foul.

The home side's best chances came late on when Ostenstad headed against the crossbar and youngster James Beattie was only just too high after Chelsea failed to clear a corner.

Southampton: Jones, Hiley, Colleter, Palmer, Monkou, Lundekvam, Le Tissier, Oakley, Ostenstad, Beattie, Kachloul. Subs: Ripley, Dodd, Bridge, Basham, Stensgaard.

Chelsea: De Goey, Ferrer, Duberry, Leboeuf, Goldbaek, Petrescu,Morris, Poyet, Babayaro, Flo, Zola. Subs: Terry, Forssell, Myers, Nicholls, Hitchcock.