Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin is coming to the defence of the club's under-fire starting striker Alvaro Morata.

The Spanish striker joined for big money in the summer to replace Diego Costa, but has failed to meet the fans or manager's expectations.

With his side down 2-0 against Southampton on Saturday, Morata was replaced by Olivier Giroud. The Blues went on to win 3-2, with Giroud scoring twice including the match-winner.

But Nevin doesn't believe Morata should be made a scapegoat for their earlier troubles.

"So why did it suddenly all change? The obvious answer is of course the substitutions made by Antonio Conte after we went 2-0 down and that was certainly the major part of it," Nevin told the club's official website.

"To say it was all down to that substitution is however, to my mind, a little bit harsh on Alvaro Morata.

"For the vast majority of the match he battled manfully, generally against three centre-backs on his own, with very little help or protection.

"Give Southampton their due, Maya Yoshida, Wesley Hoedt and new man Jan Bednarek took it in turns to rough up Alvaro and by the hour mark he was getting seriously frustrated and more than a little tetchy.

"Olivier [Giroud] was indeed stronger when he came on but by then the defenders' rough-house treatment was being dialled back.

"The referee had started throwing yellows about like business cards from a desperate used car salesman, and Olivier took advantage of that.

"The defenders tired a bit too and of course that big dollop of nerves which coursed through those in red and white became a crucial factor as the game wore on."