SUCH has been the transformation at Saints in recent months that the St Mary's faithful were actually able to enjoy this defeat.

In November, it would have seemed implausible that, at this stage of the season, Saints would come into a game against Chelsea hoping, almost expecting, a shock result.

But the confidence is running so high through the team, the fans and the club that this was the case at the weekend.

Chelsea are an awesome team, in unbelievable form, yet Saints' players went away at the end of the game disappointed not to get anything.

Not so long ago, everybody would have been pleased just to keep the scoreline respectable.

As it turned out, Chelsea were too good for Saints.

No disgrace there - they've been too good for every team in the Premiership this season as their fantastic points tally shows.

Saints worked hard and huffed and puffed but Chelsea played within themselves and still had a couple of gears in reserve if they needed it.

But, with Crystal Palace having already lost, it was a game Saints could go into without any pressure.

If they got anything out of it, it would have been a bonus.

They didn't, but it didn't really matter.

They go into their final seven games outside the bottom three and the fixture list is looking good.

This was easily their hardest game of the season.

Bolton away and Manchester United at home look tricky but, given the way Saints are playing at the moment, there is not a single game out of the remaining seven that you feel they can't win.

With that confidence, Saints fans were able to go to St Mary's and sit back and enjoy watching Chelsea play.

Jose Mourinho has assembled a great side who are a joy to watch.

In particular, Claude Makelele gave a masterclass in sitting in front of a back four, breaking up the play and using the ball well.

He was superb.

Elsewhere, their stars didn't always shine bright consistently but in flashes - enough to remind you of why they're so good.

Saints did give it a good go but Henri Camara couldn't get into the game and Peter Crouch was left a little isolated.

Nigel Quashie was again excellent in midfield and Olivier Bernard likewise at left back, while suddenly the central defensive partnership of Claus Lundekvam and Andreas Jakobsson looked like coming together.

Saints were hurt on 22 minutes when Chelsea took the lead.

Referee Mark Halsey did Saints no favours all evening and awarded a free-kick for a supposed pull by Jakobsson on Mateja Kezman.

Frank Lampard mishit the dubious free-kick and it flicked off Rory Delap on the end of the wall and left Antti Niemi stranded.

Halsey gave another contentious decision, pulling back Peter Crouch when through on goal for a supposed foul by Quashie.

Then, just minutes later, Niemi produced an incredible flying back kick to keep out Lundekvam's high back pass after a rare mistake from Quashie.

Saints had a great chance to level on 35 minutes but unfortunately a free header five yards out fell to Lundekvam, who put it wide.

Just four minutes later, Chelsea doubled their lead. Glen Johnson was able to get past four Saints challenges too easily and found Eidur Gudjohnsen who controlled and fired into the bottom corner giving Niemi no chance.

In the second half, Harry Redknapp brought off Henri Camara and put on Kevin Phillips and it made a big difference.

Phillips forced Petr Cech to tip over his bar on 69 minutes and then scored from the resulting corner after good work from Paul Telfer saw him get to the byline and fire into the middle, where Phillips was on hand to turn home.

It was only the 11th goal conceded in the Premiership by Chelsea all season.

At 2-1 down, Saints were well in the game but Chelsea showed why they are so good by closing the game down.

With seven minutes left, they secured the points with a third goal. A superb passing move was again finished off by Gudjohnsen firing across Niemi.

It was a goal to marvel at from a team to marvel at.

It was just nice to be able to enjoy it before the crunch work starts again this week.