If there were any doubts about whether Saints are playing for Stuart Gray, they were eradicated with this strong and spirited showing.

Although Saints are still looking for their first post-Hoddle points and goals, they are at least making positive progress.

This was much more like the kind of performance they were turning in regularly in the weeks leading up to the manager's walk-out.

It was strong-willed and well-drilled as they matched the big-spending UEFA Cup challengers who were left hanging on grimly at the end.

While Leeds played within themselves last week, the Stamford Bridge side were made to sweat for this victory.

In fact the only significant difference between the sides was that Chelsea got a lucky break and Southampton did not.

Gustavo Poyet's scissor kick into the ground took a wicked kick to bounce over Paul Jones diving for the low shot.

Yet when James Beattie's goalbound free-kick deflected wickedly off Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, it flashed a foot wide of the gaping net with the keeper committed in the opposite direction.

Beattie also saw a glancing header defy the laws of physics by coming back off the inside of a post although with no challenge on him he should have buried it - and would have done so during his mid-season scoring spree.

And Dan Petrescu burst through but stubbed his foot as he went for a glorious chip which turned into a simple save.

Any of those chances could so easily have given Saints the point they deserved for the way they stood up to Claudio Ranieri's side who have scored more goals at home than anyone, apart from Manchester United.

It was easy to see why, at least early on as the home side picked their way through with precision and pace almost taking the lead after just 75 seconds as Hasselbaink was put through only to be denied by a good block and a clearnace off the line.

Often in the past - even as recently as last week - Saints have struggled to recover their composure if they start badly. And it looked as though they could be in for a hiding as Chelsea skipped their way through. Their movement and one-touch passing made it hard for Saints to get their near them early on.

But gradually Gray's men got to grips with the Blues. They closed down and hustled and began to impose themselves on the game, albeit without seriously threatening in the first half.

They kept it tight at the back with Richards a towering colossus as he took charge to keep the home side at bay so effectively that they did not have another serious effort on target until they fluked one in three minutes before the break.

It was a crushing blow to Saints who knew if they could get through to half-time still level, they could even look to push on and win the game.

Even so, they regrouped and came out fired up to have a real go - although not without another early scare as Petrescu headed off the line from Marcel Desailly's flying header.

Chelsea found themselves pinned back for long spells as Saints gradually built up momentum and confidence.

They were resolute at the back, got forward well down the flanks and passed the ball smoothly through the centre.

You just sensed, though, that Saints needed the pace and direct running of the injured Marian Pahars to give them that extra dimension to ruffle the Blues' defence, although Hassan Kachloul did well in that role after coming off the bench.

The home side were always a threat on the break though and Southampton needed two fine saves from Paul Jones to keep them in it.

But by the closing stages Chelsea were desperately running down the clock to counter Saints' passion and purpose.

They gave it a real good go, hurling men forward, not in a caution-to-the-wind cavalry charge, but with power and purpose, honest aggression and imaginative invention.

Gray showed the strength of character and vision to change it tactically, switching to a sweeper system late on, throwing Dean Richards up front in an all-out assault for an equaliser.

The fact it did not come should not diminish the positive signs from this game which should send them to Villa Park with renewed heart.