Chelsea started the day by splashing out £58million on one of the world’s most in-demand young strikers and ended it with a gathering injury crisis and a critical shortage of options up front. Maurizio Sarri learned a little more about the peculiarities of management at Stamford Bridge on a day when his team were unable to find a way past Southampton. Sarri’s team were held to a goalless draw by the Saints, surrendering ground on the top three, and his injury problems deepened when Willian limped out in the first half. Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata had a goal controversially ruled out for offside against Southampton Chelsea winger Eden Hazard attempts to retain possession while under pressure from James Ward-Prowse Hazard manages to keep the ball even when put under intense pressure by Ward-Prowse Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata controls the ball as Southampton's Ward-Prowse watches on Southampton defender Jannik Vestergaard competes for possession with Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante The Chelsea manager went into the game without Olivier Giroud, who twisted an ankle against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi were absent, both nursing hamstring injuries. As ever, there is a wealth of talent out on loan, including strikers Tammy Abraham who has scored 16 in the Championship for Aston Villa and Michy Batshuayi who has not been nearly so prolific during a spell at Valencia but once scored the goal which won the Premier League title. As of Wednesday they have Christian Pulisic who was signed from Borussia Dortmund and immediately loaned back to the German club until the summer. Chelsea will continue with their quest to sign a centre-forward in this month’s transfer market but there were times against Southampton when they could have used fresh ideas. Hazard goes for goal as he attempts to give Chelsea the lead while Oriol Romeu looks on Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn make a save to deny Hazard during a game in which Chelsea dominated Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn kept a clean sheet on his Premier League debut as he replaced Alex McCarthy Saints came to defend and did it well with heroes across the back line. They proved impossible to break down and when Alvaro Morata found the net with 20 minutes to go his goal was ruled out for offside. It was very tight but replays showed it was a good decision by assistant referee Harry Lennard. Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, after a sobering defeat at home to Manchester City on Sunday, made eight changes to his team at Stamford Bridge. These included a Premier League debut for Angus Gunn who came in for Alex McCarthy in goal and 19-year-old Yan Valery, who was brought in at right wing-back and handed the unenviable task of keeping Hazard under control. Willian embarks upon a run down the wing for Chelsea as he seeks to make an impact during the first half Willian had to be substituted in the 37th minute because of injury and was replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek After receiving attention from the Chelsea medical staff, Willian hobbles off the pitch at Stamford Bridge Hazard was quickly into his stride, teasing the Saints who tried to help Valery with Oriel Romeu, in midfield, and Jan Bednarek, on the right side of a back-three, both quick to crowd Chelsea’s Belgian striker when he settled on the ball. Gunn would have been reassured by a solid save made in the opening exchanges to deny Alvaro Morata, who was back after injury and starting his first Premier League game since a defeat at Wolves, a month ago. Morata drifted free between Maya Yoshida and Bednarek to meet a long ball, clipped forward by Cesar Azpilicueta but was unable to generate enough power in his header to trouble the 22-year-old goalkeeper. Gunn was alert to sprint from his penalty box and beat Hazard to another pass as Southampton grew more comfortable and confident. MATCH FACTS, TABLE AND MATCH ZONE Chelsea (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga 6; Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 6, Rudiger 6, Alonso 6; Kante 6, Jorginho 6, Barkley 6 (Fabregas 68 min, 6); Willian 6 (Loftus-Cheek 37, 6.5), Morata 6, Hazard 6.5. Goals: Bookings: Rudiger Subs: Caballero, Zappacosta, Emerson, Ampadu, Christensen. Manager: Maurizio Sarri 6 Southampton (3-4-2-1): Gunn 7; Bednarek 7.5, Yoshida 7, Vestergaard 7; Valery 7, Romeu 7, Ward-Prowse 6.5, Soares 6; Redmond 6 (Stephens 90+5), Armstrong 6 (Austin 89); Ings 6 (Long 46, 6). Goals: Bookings: Bednarek, Romeu Subs: McCarthy, Slattery, Ramsay, Elyounoussi. Manager: Ralph Hasenhuttl 6.5 Ref: Jon Moss Att: 40,668 Eden Hazard attempted to make an impact but Chelsea couldn't score against Southampton Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta attempts to win the ball as he competes with Southampton's Stuart Armstrong Ross Barkley attempts to make an impact for the Blues with former Chelsea midfielder Romeu tracking him Midfielder Cesc Fabregas entered the fray in the second half as Chelsea looked to make the breakthrough Chelsea became increasingly frustrated. They were not passing it crisply and fluently. Even the set-pieces were off target. The home crowd began to grumble with impatience as the visitors offered a threat on the counter-attack. Danny Ings flashed a header over from a cross by Cedric Soares, who was recalled by Hasenhuttl to play as a wing-back on the left. Sarri’s team summoned a response before the interval. Bednerak was booked for chopping down Morata on the break and Gunn made another fine save, this time spreading his frame and taking the full force of Hazard’s effort in the side of his head. Willian was injured in a challenge by Yoshida and forced off before half time. The Brazilian was replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek who lifted the tempo when he marked his introduction with a couple of jinking dribbles. N’Golo Kante and Ross Barkley, preferred to Mateo Kovacic, created an opening for Morata but Valery charged him down and the shot was deflected wide. Southampton protected the edge of their penalty area, crowding out Marcos Alonso as he took aim. The second half followed a similar pattern. Shane Long replaced Ings at half-time and Arrizabalaga produced the first save of the second half, diving low to his left to push wide a skidding drive from distance by Stuart Armstrong. Hasenhuttl’s team defended deep and smothered Chelsea. David Luiz drew a huge cheer for a cheeky back heel in defence but the home side lacked creativity. In search of a solution, Sarri sent on Cesc Fabregas to make his 500th English club appearance. When they did find a way through, Gunn was in good touch. The young ‘keeper making another save from Hazard who twisted inside from the left. Morata’s goal was ruled out and Southampton found more spaces on the counter attack as Chelsea took more risks. James Ward-Prowse smashed a free-kick into the wall from the edge of the penalty area. Gunn saved again from Morata who was released by Loftus-Cheek and there was a loud penalty appeal when Alonso tumbled a little too easily under a challenge from behind by Long. Referee Jon Moss waved away the claims and Saints survived with a point. Hasenhuttl punched the air. Sarri turned and stalked straight down the tunnel. All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility