Chelsea boost top four hopes

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Chelsea 4 - 0 Southampton 

Chelsea boosted their top four hopes and ended their three-match losing run with an emphatic win over Southampton at Stamford Bridge.

Author - Lauren W

Premier League latest - View from the stands ~ Chelsea v Southampton

Christopher Nkunku put Chelsea ahead in the 24th minute, nodding home after Tosin Adarabioyo flicked on a corner.

Twelve minutes later, Nkunku turned provider, slipping in Pedro Neto, who slotted past Aaron Ramsdale with a composed low finish. They extended their lead just before half-time, with Levi Colwill outjumping the defence to guide in Neto’s wide free-kick.

The victory was sealed in the 78th minute when substitute Tyrique George teed up Marc Cucurella, who capped off a swift counter-attack with a precise drilled finish.

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Chelsea were desperate for this win

After a strong start to the season—winning 18 of their first 26 games in all competitions—the Blues had managed just three wins in their previous 12 matches before facing Southampton.

However, they always looked the superior side against the struggling Saints, with Christopher Nkunku standing out as they created a host of chances.

While the Frenchman impressed, Chelsea’s key man, Cole Palmer, continued to struggle. The club’s top scorer has now gone seven games without finding the net, a worrying run that has been widely discussed. He had two golden opportunities in the first half when one-on-one with Aaron Ramsdale, but saw one effort saved and dragged the other wide. After the break, he fired a cut-back over the bar and had a free-kick kept out by the Arsenal loanee.

Manager Enzo Maresca also opted to start Filip Jorgensen in goal, despite the 22-year-old’s costly error in Chelsea’s defeat to Aston Villa last time out. The Swedish shot-stopper had little to do but produced a fine diving save to deny Paul Onuachu’s header when the game was still goalless.

Late on, Chelsea handed Premier League debuts to youngstera Mathis Amougou and  Shumaira Mheuka, offering a glimpse of the club’s potential stars of the future.

Southampton should start preparing for life in the Championship

The Saints main priority has probably switched to getting the one point they need to avoid the label of being the joint worst team in Premier League history. 

On this display, you'd have doubts that they can manage that. This has only added to the frustration of their fans who believe they haven't put up a good enough fight to avoid relegation back to the Championship.

One fan who was in the away end told us: "I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed. That's probably the phrase to sum up my thoughts on this season. Other than an hour against Manchester United at Old Trafford, we've not really put up a good fight this season. I'm looking forward to being back in the Championship now and potentially winning football matches again. "

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