Following managerless Southampton's shocking 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge thanks to James Ward-outstanding Prowse's free kick, Graham Potter's disastrous start as Chelsea's head coach reached new lows.
With his 17th free kick that was successfully completed in first-half stoppage time, Ward-Prowse delivered the game-changing blow and moved even closer to David Beckham's Premier League record of 18 goals.
Potter is under increasing pressure after seeing his team play better in the second half but struggle to get past a resolute Saints defense led by interim manager Ruben Selles. Deep into stoppage time, Gavin Bazunu's extended fingertips stopped substitute Conor Gallagher from scoring.
Southampton is still in last place in the Premier League, but this victory will give their chances of surviving a much-needed boost because Selles gave a spectacular debut to be appointed the permanent successor to Nathan Jones.
Chelsea's attack was strengthened in January, but the Blues have now only scored twice in their last six games and stay 10th in the table, 10 points off the top four ahead of Newcastle's encounter with Liverpool later on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Player ratings
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga (6), Chilwell (5), Badiashile (5), Koulibaly (4), Azpilicueta (6), Kovacic (6), Fernandez (6), Madueke (5), Joao Felix (5), Mount (5), David Datro Fofana (6).
Subs: Chalobah (n/a), Mudryk (5), Sterling (7), Gallagher (n/a), Havertz (7), Wesley Fofana (6).
Southampton: Bazunu (8), Stuart Armstrong (7), Maitland-Niles (8), Bednarek (8), Kotchap (8), Perraud (8), Ward-Prowse (8), Lavia (8), Elyounoussi (6), Sulemana (6), Onuachu (6).
Subs: Lyanco (n/a), Adam Armstrong (5), Mara (5), Alcaraz (n/a), Diallo (n/a), Walcott (6).
Player of the match: James Ward-Prowse.
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