Thanks for joining us this evening. Chelsea are one step closer to the Premier League title.

Read Phil McNulty's match report here.

Tonight, of course, was just the warm-up act for tomorrow's triple match-day:

Arsenal v Leicester City - 19:45

Middlesbrough v Sunderland - 19:45

Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur - 20:00

Join us then.

• The Blues have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League games.
• Three of the goals tonight came from corner situations, the joint-most of any Premier League game this season (also Man Utd v Leicester in September).

• Cesc Fabregas’ assist for Costa’s goal was his 103rd in the Premier League – second only to Ryan Giggs (162).
• Gary Cahill has scored 26 Premier League goals – excluding penalties, the second most of any defender in the competition (after John Terry with 40).
• Saints conceded four goals in a Premier League away game for the first time since 5 April 2014, when they lost 1-4 at eventual champions Manchester City.

• Diego Costa’s first strike was his 50th in the Premier League in his 85th game – the eight fastest player to reach the milestone in the competition.
• Eden Hazard has scored 15 Premier League goals this season – his best return in a single campaign in the competition.
• Since their return to the top-flight in 2012-13, Southampton have scored more away Premier League goals at Stamford Bridge than any other side (9).

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte to Sky Sports: "It was a good win. Today I have to be pleased with the effort of my players. It wasn't easy after a tough game against Tottenham. Southampton have good players and play good football. 

"My choice was right for the game against Tottenham and the game today. It's not easy to make these strong choices. 

"To score at the end of the first half was very important. I was confident. I was seeing the team show a great will to win. In this part of the season, it's not easy. 

"We must be confident for the future. It's important to look at ourselves and not the other [Spurs]."

Southampton boss Claude Puel to BBC Sport: "It was a good game. We had a lot of opportunities but we conceded two goals on free-kicks. It's a shame. 

"We played against a good team. Eden Hazard and Diego Costa made the difference today. 

"I had the privilege to start Hazard at Lille. He has the same quality. He's a fantastic player. At 16, he was the same.

"It was a good game to watch on the TV. It's a harsh result. It's important to finish with good performances and stay in the first part of the table."

Southampton

Southampton captain Steven Davis: "Chelsea were more clinical than us. We worked hard to get back into the game and the timing of the second goal was bad for us. Unfortunately it wasn't to be.

"They are top of the league for a reason. We want more than just getting 40 points. We don't want our season to fizzle out.

"They've got a real attacking threat."

Tottenham go to Crystal Palace tomorrow at 20:00 BST knowing they need to win to stay in the race really. 

Spurs have six games to go, realistically they need to win them all and hope for two or more Chelsea slip-ups.

The Blues just need to win four of their remaining five, even if Spurs win all theirs.

Image source, .

Akude Emeka: Two former Chelsea boys on the score sheet tonight, Lukaku will be looking up to Sunday big-time.  

Image source, Reuters

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard: "It'salways good to score and create lot of chances. We scored four beautiful goals.

"It's always good to play before [Tottenham] and put pressure on them."

On his best season for goals for Chelsea: "To be fair I want to take the trophy at the end of the season. If my goals help to win games then that's good."

Chelsea goalscorer Gary Cahill on Sky Sports: "It does feel like a massive step. First time for a long time we've played first [before Tottenham in the league]. 

"Marcos Alonso popped a nice ball across and it's great for a defender. It was a great timing [the second goal] and a big boost before half-time. Most important thing is that we get the win."

On recovering from gastroenteritis: "I feel OK. I'm just recovering. The lads didn't miss me against Tottenham at Wembley. This result leaves us in a good position. We have a big game this weekend [at Everton]."

Image source, Reuters

Jibin Mathew George: Bad day to take Costa off my FPL team.

Ouch

Huddersfield have secured their place in the Championship play-offs, while Port Vale live to see another day in League One after a late Chris Eagles winner at Walsall. 

Gary Lineker
Ex-England striker

Huge win for Chelsea in their inexorable march towards the Premier League title.  

Chelsea go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League. For at least 24 hours anyway.

Image source, Reuters

Andy Morgan: Excellent goal from Chelsea. Scoreline still flatters them, though. Saints have been better than scoreline suggests 

We're almost halfway through the four minutes added on.