Chelsea battered Southampton 5-1 St Mary’s on Wednesday as injury-hit Saints imploded and had captain Jack Stephens sent off in the first half.
WATCH — Full replay
Axel Disasi put Chelsea 1-0 up after a goalkeeping error from third-choice Joe Lumley, but Southampton equalized through Joe Aribo as they started brightly. Lumley then made another huge error as Christopher Nkunku made it 2-1, then Noni Madueke made it 3-1.
Southampton captain Jack Stephens kept their meltdown going as he was sent off after VAR spotted him pull Marc Cucurella by the hair. Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho both scored late on as Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea could have scored eight or nine in the rain at St Mary’s.
With the win Chelsea move on to 28 points, while Southampton remain bottom on five points and are now seven points from safety.
Chelsea could be in the title race
Yes, Southampton had 10 players out (most of them key players) through injury and suspension. Yes, Southampton basically gave Chelsea two goals and had Stephens sent off after a moment of madness in the first half. But Chelsea made seven changes to the team which beat Aston Villa at the weekend and you couldn’t tell. That is scary from Enzo Maresca’s side. Their squad depth is incredible and even if there is a slight drop off from their regular starters, they proved they can rotate their team to play against opponents lower down the Premier League table and still be devastating in attack and win with ease. Nobody is really talking about Chelsea being in the title race and it may be slightly premature. But that is the direction things are heading in for Chelsea.
Southampton vs Chelsea player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Southampton head to Aston Villa on Saturday, while Chelsea head to Tottenham on Sunday.
Southampton vs Chelsea score: 1-5
Aribo 11'; Disasi 7', Nkunku 17', Madueke 34', Palmer 77', Sancho 87'
Southampton vs Chelsea live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Sancho adds a fifth - Southampton 1-5
The substitute is played in by Gusto and smashes a shot in at the near post. Southampton look really tired now. It could be seven or eight.
Palmer is finally in on the act - Southampton 1-4 Chelsea
Cole Palmer has come close a few times and he’s finally on the scoresheet. Easy finish.
Jorgensen makes a fine save
Brilliant counter from Southampton and Arhcer does so well. Aribo sets up Fernandes and his shot is saved well by Jorgensen. The ball then hits Cucurella’s arm on the rebound. No penalty kick given. That was a glorious chance for 10-player Saints to make it interesting.
Palmer’s shot is spilled and Fraser somehow clears
Palmer’s shot slips out of Lumley’s hands and is straight to Madueke, but Fraser slides in with a miraculous clearance. Chelsea totally on top now.
Tosin smashes the post
A corner to the back post finds Tosin and his smashed effort hits the post and comes flying back out.
Walker-Peters charges forward but falls over
Saints still look dangerous on the break and Walker-Peter is charging in on goal but slips just as he’s about to play a pass. There were two other Saints players up with him. Walker-Peters just looked shattered.
It is going to be a long second half for Saints
Cole Palmer is played in but the ball just slips away from him. The rain is hammering down at St Mary’s and sums up the mood for the home fans.
Half time: Southampton 1-3 Chelsea
One calamity after another for Saints as two huge goalkeeping errors and then Stephens getting sent off has them 3-1 down and down to 10 players for the entire second half. Chelsea can’t believe their luck.
Stephens sent off
Oh dear. It keeps getting worse for Southampton. Jack Stephens pulls Cucurella’s hair off the ball and VAR sends the referee to the monitor. Stephens is sent off for violent conduct. Saints have been their own worst enemies.
Madueke makes it three! - Southampton 1-3 Chelsea
This is going to be a long night for Southampton. Madueke finishes this time. Chelsea rampant.
Palmer hits the post! And then the bar from the corner!
It is all Chelsea now. Palmer’s shot is pushed onto the post by Lumley. From the corner Tosin’s header hits the bar.
Madueke denied by Lumley; Felix drags it wide
A Chelsea counter sees Palmer play in Madueke and his low shot is saved by Lumley. That should make him feel a lot better. Moments later Joao Felix drags a shot wide after another Chelsea counter.
Lumley with another huge error as Nkunku scores - Southampton 1-2 Chelsea
Awful mistake, again, from Southampton. Lumley gives the ball to Walker-Peters who is under pressure and Madueke wins it back and tees up Nkunku to slot home. Chelsea have been handed two Christmas gifts.
Saints are level right away! - Southampton 1-1 Chelsea
A poor mistake from Enzo Fernandez allows Kyle Walker-Peters to wriggle free in the box and he crosses for Aribo who finishes. Saints have looked bright early on and get an equalizer. Chelsea were only ahead for four minutes.
Disasi heads home a corner! That was so easy - Southampton 0-1 Chelsea
A corner from the left is whipped in and Disasi heads home at the near post as he gets ahead of Lumely. Another defensive mistake from Southampton and Chelsea make them pay.
Saints have started brightly!
With a lot of Chelsea changes at the back they look a bit shaky. Saints have a great chance as the ball drops to Aribo but he is denied by Jorgensen. Aribo should score but the offside flag was up anyway. Still, promising for the hosts.
How to watch Southampton vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET, Wednesday (December 4)
Venue: St Mary’s — Southampton
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Southampton lineup
Lumley; Walker-Peters, Bree, Wood, Stephens, Manning; Armstrong, Aribo, Fernandes, Fraser; Archer
Chelsea lineup
Jorgensen; Gusto, Disasi, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Nkunku
Southampton team news, focus
Saints have so many players unavailable for this game that it’s really tough to see who will start. Teenage sensation Tyler Dibling, star center back Taylor Harwood-Bellis and influential midfielder Flynn Downes are all suspended, so Ryan Fraser, Joe Aribo and James Bree could start. Saints will also be hoping Paul Onuachu is fit to play some part as his hold-up play would be key.
OUT: Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Lesley Ugochukwu (unable to face parent club), Ross Stewart (muscular), William Smallbone (thigh), Aaron Ramsdale (finger), Adam Lallana (thigh), Flynn Downes (suspension), Tyler Dibling (suspension), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Paul Onuachu (undisclosed), Jan Bednarek (knee)
Chelsea team news, focus
The Blues basically have two squads to choose from and it will be intriguing to see if Maresca goes with the Conference League squad for this Premier League game. Probably a mixture is the right answer with Badiashille perhaps coming in for Fofana and the likes of Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku and Renato Veiga could start. Chelsea have so many great midfield and attacking options and will be relishing having a game every three days this month as they can share the minutes around.
OUT: Omari Kellyman (thigh), Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (hamstring)
Southampton vs Chelsea prediction
All signs point to a big away win but Southampton seem to play better against the big boys who give them a little more space to play their football on the counter. It will be tighter than you expect but Chelsea will prevail and can rotate heavily for this game. Southampton 1-2 Chelsea.
Southampton vs Chelsea preview
Saints remain bottom of the table and four points from safety, but they put in a spirited second half display to draw 1-1 at Brighton on Friday and VAR controversy probably cost them a big win. Russell Martin’s side lost narrowly at home to Liverpool before that and even though injuries and suspensions have piled up, they will have a go at Chelsea in midweek. That’s the only way they know how.
Chelsea are flying under Enzo Maresca as they battered Aston Villa 3-0 at home on Sunday to keep themselves in the title conversation early in the season. Cole Palmer and Co. look certain to be right in the top four conversation, at the very least, this season and Maresca’s free-flowing style is blossoming. Chelsea do give up some big chances at the back but going forward they are so direct and creative.
