Chelsea got another early goal at Southampton as stats show Blues and Manchester City have got ruthless streaks under their new bosses

COSTA AND HAZARD

Following Eden Hazard's early goal on Sunday pundits were quick to point to the Belgian's return to form as Chelsea's biggest change after 10 Premier League games under Antonio Conte but perhaps a better indicator is actually their refusal to lie down.

Under the Italian, Opta data shows Chelsea have scored 29 per cent of their goals in the last 15 minutes. Although that is not the highest percentage in the league those goals have brought the Blues an additional six points. That is the difference between fourth and sixth even at this stage of the season.

Chelsea are no slouches out of the blocks either. Hazard's goal at St Mary's was their fourth in the first 15 minutes of games so far.

Unsurprisingly top-scorer Diego Costa has three out of four of those vital late goals. The first came in the 89th minute to secure an opening day win over West Ham. The second, five days later at Watford, added to Michy Batshuayi's 80th minute equaliser, earning a comeback victory at Vicarage Road. The third came at Swansea back in September to ensure the Blues headed home with a point.

It would be easy to mock Conte's endless motivational gesticulation on the touchline but it appears that frantic arm-waving might be paying off.

Oddly Chelsea have actually been outscored in final period of games by league leaders Manchester City but only one of those seven late goals for Pep Guardiola's side has brought a change in result. 

That coming in their opening day win over Sunderland via Paddy McNair's 87th minute own goal, although those two points are currently the difference between first and fourth.

City also lead the league in early goals with five. Getting the job done quickly has become the way under Guardiola as they look to blow teams out of the water in the first half.

Hull have scored 50 per cent of their goals late on, earning Mike Phelan an extra three points. Similarly Palace have earned an extra three points from late goals.

It is a long held belief that a goal just before half-time strikes a blow to your opponents but Manchester United's early season form would suggest otherwise.

Jose Mourinho's side have scored six goals in the final stages of the first half, eight per cent more than anyone else in the league. However those strikes have been key in securing just two wins, Juan Mata's goal in the season opener against Bournemouth and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's strike in the 2-0 win over Southampton.

Leicester's league struggles this season can be put down in part to their slow starts. The defending champions have failed to score in the opening half hour of all 10 opening games, an unwanted record they share with Hull and Sunderland.

As for a lack of late threat, if sides find themselves up late-on against Middlesbrough then chances are they will get all three points. So far Boro have failed to score any goals in the last 15 minutes since their Premier League return.