Sancho celebrating
Sancho smashed home his first goal for Chelsea at the end of a rout
If Chelsea continue this run of form, Enzo Maresca will be forced to revise his assessment that his team are “not ready” to challenge for the title this season.
This rout against a calamitous Southampton meant they earned their 10th point from a possible 12. “We’ve got our Chelsea back” sung the fans.
Chelsea did not really have to beat Southampton, as has been the case so often this season, Russell Martin’s side beat themselves. Not only did they gift Chelsea two of their first-half goals but their captain, Jack Stephens, was sent off after 39 minutes for petulantly pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair.
Maresca clearly had one eye on the trip to Spurs at the weekend, and has a huge squad. His side quickly took the lead at St Mary’s, Axel Disasi heading in Enzo Fernandez’s corner from close range.
Southampton were only behind for four minutes as enterprising play from Kyle Walker-Peters down the left saw him pull the ball back for Joe Aribo to slot home from close range.
But no team has suffered more self-inflicted damage than Martin’s this season and an inexplicable attempt from Lumley to pass to Walker-Peters ended in Noni Madueke robbing him of the ball and Christopher Nkunku passing into the net.
"It's yet another self-inflicted wound!"
Chelsea pounce on Southampton's sloppiness at the back and regain the lead! 🔵#PLonPrime #SOUCHE pic.twitter.com/oNpFiK1cuy
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 4, 2024
Chelsea were looking like they might score each time they came forward. Lumley stretched out an arm to divert Cole Palmer’s shot against the post after an excellent pass from Joao Felix and then Tosin Adarabioyo nodded another corner onto the crossbar. The next Chelsea goal seemed inevitable and it came when Madueke teased Ryan Manning before stepping inside the left-back and striking into the far corner.
Things were unravelling quickly for Southampton and their situation became even more grave as Stephens was sent off for pulling Cucurella’s hair ahead of a corner. The second half imbalance was even more in Chelsea’s favour and Tosin again hit an upright from a corner, this time the post, before Madueke somehow failed to convert the lost ball after Lumley had spilled Palmer’s shot.
Palmer did score the fourth, slotting home the loose ball after Nkunku had driven at the retreating Southampton back line. The fifth came from substitute Jadon Sancho, his first Premier League goal for the club, as he rifled in Malo Gusto’s pass.