Southampton FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Chelsea substitute Jadon Sancho made it five against Southampton at St Mary’s (Picture: Getty)
Jadon Sancho admits it is ‘nice’ that Chelsea find themselves in such a strong position but the squad ‘can’t get carried away’ in these early stages of the Premier League season.
The Blues picked up their fourth straight win in all competitions on Wednesday night, sweeping Russell Martin’s ten-man Southampton aside in a comprehensive 5-1 victory at St Mary’s.
Joe Aribo cancelled out Axel Disasi’s seventh-minute header to give the hosts some early hope but Chelsea hit back emphatically as Jack Stephens was sent off, with Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Sancho all getting on the scoresheet.
The result saw the Blues move above Arsenal into second place on goal difference and Enzo Maresca’s men will look to further close the gap on top-of-the-table Liverpool when they travel to Tottenham on Sunday.
A last-gasp Fabian Schar equaliser for Newcastle saw Liverpool’s lead at the summit reduce to seven points ahead of their eagerly anticipated Merseyside derby at Everton this weekend.
‘It was a good performance,’ Sancho told Chelsea’s official website after the side’s convincing win over Southampton.
‘I feel like we started a bit slow and then we got the first goal we started to get into our rhythm and luckily we came away with five goals tonight.’
Southampton FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Disasi opened the scoring on the south coast (Picture: Getty)
On his late strike after replacing Madueke, Sancho added: ‘I’m delighted!
‘I finally shot so I’m just over the moon that I got my goal.
‘We can’t get carried away. Obviously, it’s nice to be in this position.,
‘But again, we’re going to take it game by game because we still have a long season ahead of us.’
Southampton FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Maresca’s men leapfrogged Arsenal into second place with the victory (Picture: Getty)
According to Sancho, Chelsea’s attacking players have been ‘thriving’ off the fierce competition for game-time that exists within the squad this season.
‘I’m grateful whether I start or come on the pitch. As long as I get some minutes and I can play in front of the fans then I’m delighted,’ the England winger continued.
‘Today, topped it off, obviously, with my goal and the most important thing was the three points.
‘I feel like all the boys thrive off this competition that we have.
‘We always want to improve each other and just go at it. That’s why we work so hard in training.’
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