Image source, Opta

Diego Costa serves the last of his three-match suspension today, meaning this is a real chance for Radamel Falcao to put forward his case for a regular starting spot.

That is not really happening at the moment. He has had the fewest touches of any outfield Chelsea player, with just one of those touches coming where he could do any damage.

Is that another big penalty shout for Southampton? It is you know. Sadio Mane shows neat skills to nip away from ramires, who lunges a foot in and catches the boot of the Saints forward. Referee Robert Madley's hand was up briefly. He was going to give that for a second. That is two penalty shouts (good ones as well) that Chelsea have survived.

To rub salt in Mane's wounds, he is then booked for diving in another incident. So, if that was a dive, surely the first one was too if not a penalty? I'm confused.

Image source, AP

Willian is winning the Chelsea plaudits, and not just for his goal-scoring exploits...

Iregbenu Paul: Willian, forget the goals, is very important. He appears to be one of the lots that understands the gaffer.

Archie Small: Time for Willian to start being considered top quality - massively underrated.

Alfie Snow: Last season, I thought of WillIan as a weak link. So far this season, he has been our best and most consistent player!

Get involved with your comments on today's matches on Twitter #bbcfootball, external, on text 81111 and via the BBC Match of the Day Facebook page., external

It is not sticking for Southampton up front. Graziano Pelle is a passenger at the moment. And the attacking midfield trio of Chelsea are contributing far more than their Saints equivalents, not least of all, Eden Hazard, who is pelting around like an espresso-fueled whippet.

Image source, Getty Images

Almost 2-0 as Oscar and Cesc Fabregas exchange passes before the Brazilian curls an effort into the hands of Maarten Stekelenburg from inside the box.

Soon after, Ryan Bertrand gets a booking for kicking out at Willian following a tackle. It has not been a good day for ex-Chelsea players so far.

Image source, Reuters

Southampton make trouble for themselves with a loose Virgil van Dijk pass on the edge of the box that Cesar Azpilicueta is on in a flash. Fortunately for the Saints (and their centre-back) Chelsea are unable to fully capitalise. 

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Opta

He might not show it, but Jose Mourinho will be happy with his side's start so far.

They are dominating possession and while they have not exactly kept Southampton pegged back in their own half, they are constantly pushing and probing, while keeping the visitors at bay.

Again, Southampton are let down by a loose final ball as Graziano Pelle's forward pass fails to find Sadio Mane.

Down the other end, Oscar's shot from outside the box rises over the crossbar.

A nice move from Southampton just falls short as Dusan Tadic's pass into the box is just too heavy for the charging Graziano Pelle. They may be trailing, but Southampton are playing well.

Image source, Opta

How important is Willian to Chelsea at the moment? He has scored twice as many goals as any other Chelsea player this season in all competitions. That important.

This graphic does not do the goal justice, but the green arrows gives some indication of where Willian put that free-kick - inch perfect into the top corner. One to watch on Match of the Day later.

Steven Davis with a chance for Southampton in the box but his shot from an angle flies past the near post. Ronald Koeman puts his hand to his brow in frustration.

Southampton have had a few set-pieces with which to deliver a telling ball into the Chelsea box but have been unable to make anything of them. Virgil van Dijk thinks he has had his shirt pulled by Branislav Ivanovic from the most recent, but the referee gives nothing. 

They have just shown a replay and Ivanovic wasn't so much tugging his shirt as attempting to tear it shreds. That should have been a penalty.

Eden Hazard's first charge into Southampton territory sees him beat two before Oriol Romeu trips him to earn a booking and give Chelsea a dangerous free-kick.

Southampton win the first corner courtesy of Gary Cahill heading a Steven Davis free-kick behind. Tadic's delivery has some Chelsea hearts in mouths as Jose Fonte charged towards the ball, but keeper Asmir Begovic is there first. Panic over.

Dusan Tadic screams into the sky as Graziano Pelle's ball over the top is too late to keep him onside. The message is clear: quicker Graz, quicker.

Image source, Reuters

Graziano Pelle is fouled by Cesc Fabregas following a lay-off from the striker and Southampton have a free-kick on halfway. They are unable to make anything of the chance to pose problems to Chelsea, though, as a Steven Davis ball goes straight out of play.

Former Blue Oriol Romeu clearly has a point to prove. He snaps in to a tackle that fells Cesc Fabregas but does not stop Chelsea coming forward. The home side's attack does come to a halt when Radamel Falcao fails to keep the ball in on the byline.

The home side get the game under way...