Hiddink reveals real reason why Baba was substituted at half-time against Southampton
Match

Hiddink reveals real reason why Baba was substituted at half-time against Southampton

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

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By Chelsea correspondent Tony Hughes

Baba Rahman was substituted at half-time in Chelsea's 2-1 Premier League win over Southampton because of his error for the home side's goal.

Shane Long pounced on a first-half Baba blunder before clipping a shot over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The Chelsea left-back was replaced by Brazilian Kenedy during the break and Guus Hiddink's team rallied in the second half, with late goals from Cecs Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic sealing a victory that lifts them to 11th in the table.

Hiddink was open about his reason for taking off Baba, who has started the last few games after John Terry's injury forced a reshuffle in the defence.

"I don't want to make a fake injury," the manager told his post-match media conference. "I took him off because of the error. He has to cope with that. He was very down in the locker room about his mistake, but we have to make decisions like we did.

"I think it was a deserved win for us. They haven't conceded in last six, seven games so it was successful for us.

"We had a setback when we went 1-0 down, it was a present from our defence, but we did very well in the second half. We were well organised and then got the goals."

In other Chelsea news, Pedro is a doubt for the Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain next month after suffering a hamstring injury against Southampton.

Chelsea FC
Baba Rahman
Guus Hiddink
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