Chelsea have bounced back to winning ways in the Premier League with a straightforward victory over relegation-bound Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
The early stages of the game saw those inside Stamford Bridge grow more and more frustrated but the tension was massively eased on 24 minutes when Christopher Nkunku fired the hosts ahead. That was exactly what the Blues needed and it was soon two-nil in SW6.
Some sloppy play from Flynn Downes was pounced upon by Chelsea and Pedro Neto, being used as the No.9 for the second successive game, fired past Aaron Ramsdale to double the home side’s advantage. Chelsea were not done there either with Levi Colwill adding the Blues’ third before half-time with a powerful header past Ramsdale.
The second-half was fairly lowkey but Chelsea did manage to get another with just over 10 minutes of normal time remaining. Marc Cucurella found the bottom corner after being found by Tyrique George in front of the Matthew Harding Stand.
Below, Bobby Vincent runs the rule over the Chelsea players that featured at Stamford Bridge.
Filip Jorgensen – Looked a bit anxious early on with some of his passing and got a big warning from the Stamford Bridge faithful on around 15 minutes when he played a short, but really risky, pass to Enzo Fernandez. Made a fine stop to prevent Paul Onuachu from scoring in the first-half. 6.
Malo Gusto – Better than recent games without setting the world alight. The sort of game he had been wanting with not too much jeopardy. 6.
Tosin Adarabioyo – A peach of a pass three minutes in to find Fernandez. Set up the opening goal of the game with a fine flick-on from a corner. 7.
Levi Colwill – Nice moment for him just before half-time. Scored his first goal of the season and you could see how much it meant to him by his passionate celebration. 8.
Marc Cucurella – Played a big part in the second goal of the game to get Chelsea’s attack going. Equally, really impressive with his passing forward into dangerous areas. Took his goal really well. 8.
Moises Caicedo – Tidy in the middle. Chelsea did not need him too much to do what he usually does: winning the ball back at every opportunity. 6.
Enzo Fernandez – He was everywhere. Again. Set up some really good chances and was unlucky not to have an assist to his name. 9.
Jadon Sancho – Used on the right wing. Put in a peach of a cross on nine minutes but nobody was able to get on the end of it. Should have an assist for one of the chances Palmer missed in the first-half. 7.
Cole Palmer – Missed a huge opportunity just before Nkunku opened the scoring. Another one on 34 minutes, and skied a chance in the second half from just inside the area. He could really do with a goal, eh? 6.
Christopher Nkunku – Did really well to get himself back on the score sheet. A real poacher’s goal for the Frenchman. He turned provider not too long after, laying the ball off to Neto for his goal. 8.
Pedro Neto – Built on his impressive display at Aston Villa with another one against the Saints. He took his goal in clinical style after the home side were gifted possession in a dangerous area by their opponents. 8.
Subs:
Tyrique George (on for Neto 68′) – Played as the striker when he replaces Neto. An instant chance, too, but he gets his shot all wrong. He then got an assist for Cucurella. Nice moment. 7.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (on for Sancho 68′) – Rare minutes. 6.
Josh Acheampong (on for Nkunku 83′) – Good to see him on the pitch. N/A.
Mathis Amougou (on for Caicedo 83′) – A debut for the Frenchman. N/A.
Shim Mheuka (on for Fernandez 89′) – A Premier League debut. Almost scores with his first touch. N/A.
