Ryan Bertrand, another Chelsea old boy, claimed a consolation with a stoppage-time header.
TALKING POINT - Is the title race over?
.Terry, who has won 14 major trophies at Chelsea, could finish the season lifting more silverware. Brilliant, thoughtful, exquisite to watch.
With Tottenham breathing down their necks, the Blues needed a good display against Saints and the hosts got off to the flawless start, with Eden Hazard opening the scoring on five minutes from a Diego Costa pass.
Southampton starting eleven: Forster, Cédric, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand, Romeu, Davis (c), Ward-Prowse, Tadi?, Boufal, Gabbiadini. Subs - Hassen, Clasie, Long 6, Rodriguez 6, Cacares, Redmond 6, Hojbjerg.
And they were at it again soon afterwards - a neat exchange with Pedro leading to Costa getting his second and Chelsea's fourth with a powerful low drive in the closing moments.
"They play the most glorious football, often orchestrated by Eriksen, but if they don't win something soon it could signal the break-up of a team and that would be a great shame". He makes no mistake.
Antonio Conte's side had seen their advantage cut by Tottenham after the Blues' loss at Manchester United - but this was an emphatic response to follow on from Saturday's FA Cup semi-final win against their London rivals.
Arsenal boost Champions League hopes with late own goal
Arsenal moved within four points of the Champions League places with a 1-0 victory over Leicester on Wednesday. Arsenal midfielder Alexis Sanchez cops a face full after making a nuisance of himself.
The Belgian ace threatened again on 17 minutes from a counter as he fired over the crossbar from just outside the area after being picked out by Costa, but the visitors were level seven minutes later.
89' GOAL! Well, that was incisive play from Chelsea, scything through the Southampton defence.
Southampton had been beaten 3-0 by Manchester City in their previous game, 10 days prior, and have failed to record a league victory over any of the teams in the top six this season.
The goal was the 103rd of Fabregas' Premier League career, and also marked a milestone for Costa with the striker netting his 50th league strike in England in the process.
Gary Cahill has scored 26 Premier League goals - excluding penalties, the second most of any defender in the competition (after John Terry with 40).
Chelsea's next game is a trip to Everton on Sunday, with a win there nearly guaranteeing them the league title.
"My choice was right for the game against Tottenham and the game today".
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