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Chelsea moved to 4th in the table with an emphatic 4-0 win against Southampton.
The home side came into the game in poor form after tasting defeat at Villa Park on Saturday night, losing to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa 2-1 thanks to a Marco Asencio brace.
Southampton’s struggles this season have been well documented, sitting on just nine points and on track to not only return to the Championship, but to do so by breaking Derby County’s record for the lowest points amassed in a Premier League season.
As expected, it was the hosts who got off to the better start, but it was the visitors who gained the first good chance of the game after a pacey ball into the box from Kyle Walker-Peters was met by Paul Onuachu, but the Nigerian striker sent his header straight at Filip Jörgensen who tipped it away.
Enzo Maresca’a side were quick to respond to the Saints’s good spell. In the 23rd minute, Cole Palmer went racing in behind the backline, squaring up 1v1 against Aaron Ramsdale, put the former Arsenal ‘keeper was equal to his effort from around 10 yards out. It was a great chance for Palmer to return to goal scoring form, after failing to score in his past six games.
Though it wasn’t via Palmer, Chelsea weren’t denied for long after the resulting corner was met by Tosin. He sent a firm header hurtling towards goal, and before it veered out for a goal kick, Christopher Nkunku was there at the back post to tap home from close range a minute after Palmer missed his major chance.
It was a tidy finish from the Frenchman, who netted his 13th goal of the season for Chelsea. It was much too easy for the 27-year-old though, and will be a goal Ivan Juric will be unhappy to see go in as easy as it did.
His side weren’t completely put the game though, as Onuachu remained busy throughout the first half. He forced an excellent save at of Jörgensen again in the 32nd minute, sending a powerful header towards the top right-hand corner of his goal, but the Danish goalie was equal to his effort once more.
Chelsea doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Flynn Downes carelessly gifted Marc Cucurella the ball in his own half. The Spaniard promptly played it into Nkunku, who masterfully played Pedro Neto in behind the Saints’s defence, and the Portuguese winger sent a thunderous effort past Ramsdale at his near post.
It was another unforced error that led to Southampton conceding, making it difficult to pity the scenario they often find themselves in. Though it was ever going to be easy for the south coast side to stay up this season, basic errors like these will almost certainly see them relegated as early as April.
The Blues weren’t done here though, as Nkunku won a free kick midway through Southampton’s half. Pedro Neto hoisted a ball into the box, only for Southampton-born Levi Colwill to rise above everyone and send a header crashing into the back of the net, putting his side three goals to the better before half time.
Despite the substantial lead, it was Southampton who made the changes at halftime, with Taylor Harwood-Belis replacing James Bree.
Palmer gained another great chance to break his cold spell in front of goal in the 56th minute, after Nkunku raced down the left and squared a ball to him after drawing in defenders in yellow. The ball bobbled on the way setting him up for a volley, but the former Man City attacker sent his shot well over the bar in what was an uncharacteristic finish from him.
Ivan Juric made more changes in the 59th minute, with Tyler Dibling and Ryan Manning replacing Paul Onuachu and Kyle Walker-Peters. The former Spurs full back was one of the few players who could have left Stamford Bridge with their head held high, despite not playing the full 90.
Maresca made his first subs in the 68th minute, with Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George replacing Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto. It was another solid game from Neto, who left the pitch after netting his 6th game of the season.
Even with these changes, Chelsea didn’t take their foot of the pedal here and hit four in the 78th minute. A poor Ryan Manning shot from the edge of the box was gobbled up by the Chelsea defence. Tyrique George led the counter attack, with five Chelsea players taking on two Southampton defenders. He squared the ball to Marc Cucurella, who took his time and sent a powerful shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net for his 4th goal of the season.
Such a dominant scoreline allowed minutes for youngsters Josh Acheampong, Mathis Amougou and Shumaira Mhueka. The Saints made subs of their own, with Cameron Archer and Wellington coming on in the dying embers.
Cole Palmer was gifted one last chance to get his goal in the second of four added minutes. A free kick 25 yards out from goal positioned just to the right of the centre of the goal got those in the Shed End on their feet, but a good save from Aaron Ramsdale to his right denied Palmer his goal.
Referee Tom Brammal, who had a straightforward game only having to deal out three yellow cards, put Southampton out their misery moments later.
Chelsea travel to Copenhagen next week for the first leg of their Round of 16 fixture in the Europa Conference League. Southampton now turn their attention to a trip to Anfield next Saturday.
