Chelsea have returned to the Premier League's top four thanks to a comfortable 4-0 win over basement boys Southampton at Stamford Bridge this evening.
It was a sluggish start from the Blues, but they soon took advantage of their opponent's lack of confident and defensive disorganisation, when Christopher Nkunku headed home from close range after a flick on from a corner.
Nkunku soon turned provider for Pedro Neto, who thundered a second past Southampton stopper Aaron Ramsdale, and there was even time for a third before the interval, when Neto himself assisted Levi Colwill one minute before half time.
There was little of note to report on for large parts of the second half, and that allowed Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to hand out some minutes to youth players, and one of them, Tyrique George, assisted the fourth goal from Marc Cucurella with just over 10 minutes remaining.
While Chelsea have moved up to fourth, Ivan Juric's Southampton side remain a whopping 13 points adrift of safety, in what could still be a record-breaking season for all the wrong reasons.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
While the scoreline will be very pleasing for both Maresca and the Chelsea supporters, not a lot will be read into this win, given the level of opposition, and the Blues will now need to follow this up with more wins after a dismal run of league form.
Chelsea had taken just nine points from a possible 30 before tonight, and while they are back in the top four, they could be leapfrogged by both Manchester City and Newcastle United tomorrow.
There will also be minor concerns about the form of Cole Palmer, who uncharacteristically missed golden opportunities in both halves, and has now not found the net in seven matches.
For Southampton, the fear of setting the new lowest Premier League points tally continues, with three points still required to overtake Derby County's woeful tally of 11 from the 2007-08 season.
Shipping goals at this current rate means they may not win again this season though, with 26 goals conceded in eight matches during 2025 already, and just two victories to their name in 27 matches so far.
CHELSEA VS. SOUTHAMPTON HIGHLIGHTS
Nkunku goal vs. Southampton (24th min, Chelsea 1-0 Southampton)
The majority of Stamford Bridge breathes a huge sigh of relief as unconvincing Chelsea lead! Tosin Adarabioyo flicks on from a corner, and Nkunku gets the better of Will Smallbone at the back post and bravely gets his head on the ball to guide it beyond Ramsdale in the visitor's goal.
Neto goal vs. Southampton (36th min, Chelsea 2-0 Southampton)
Chelsea have breathing space in this one as Neto scores in a second home match in succession, latching onto a fine through ball from Nkunku, and he unleashes an unstoppable strike that beats Ramsdale at his front post.
Colwill goal vs. Southampton (44th min, Chelsea 3-0 Southampton)
It is getting ugly very quickly here at the Bridge as Colwill adds a third goal in a 20-minute spell, and like the first, it is a cheap one to let in from a set piece from a Saints perspective.
Neto's dangerous delivery is dropped into the space behind the Southampton defensive line, and Colwill meets it to score his first goal of the season for the hosts.
Cucurella goal vs. Southampton (78th min, Chelsea 4-0 Southampton)
After a sluggish and forgetful second half for the most part, the home crowd have something to shout about again, as young substitute George does well down the right, and tees up Cucurella for Chelsea's fourth goal.
MAN OF THE MATCH - PEDRO NETO
There were a few candidates for this award in what was ultimately a dominant performance from the home side, but Neto edges it ahead of the likes of Nkunku, Tosin, Cucurella and Colwill, who all performed well too, especially in defence, where Maresca saw his side keep a morale-boosting clean sheet.
However, in a Chelsea performance that took a while to get going, Neto was the liveliest man in a blue shirt at the Bridge, and marked his performance with a goal and an assist in the first half.
CHELSEA VS. SOUTHAMPTON MATCH STATS
Possession: Chelsea 60%-40% Southampton
Shots: Chelsea 19-7 Southampton
Shots on target: Chelsea 10-2 Southampton
Corners: Chelsea 4-2 Southampton
Fouls: Chelsea 6-9 Southampton
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea now have the weekend off due to their elimination from the FA Cup earlier this month, and they will not be in action again until the first leg of their Conference League last 16 first leg against FC Copenhagen, while Southampton have to wait even longer for their next match, which is away to champions-elect Liverpool on March 8.
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