CHELSEA END LOSING RUN WITH RUTHLESS WIN OVER HAPLESS SAINTS
Chelsea returned to winning ways and bolstered their push for a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League courtesy of a 4-0 rout of rock-bottom Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues were nervy early on but after Christopher Nkunku nodded in a 24th-minute opener, the goals began to flow with Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill putting the hosts three up at the break.
Enzo Maresca’s men had several chances following the break but didn’t add a fourth until 12 minutes from time with Marc Cucurella polishing off a lightning break.
Cole Palmer was a surprising name missing from the scoresheet as he fluffed several big opportunities to extend his run without a goal to seven matches.
The result eases some pressure on Maresca as the victory not only ends a three-match losing streak, but also moves Chelsea up to fourth spot with some of their Euro rivals still to play in this midweek round of matches.
It continues to look bleak for the bottom-placed Saints who suffered a 22nd defeat of the season and have now shipped 65 goals in 27 top-flight outings.
Chelsea will now switch focus to the first leg of their UEFA Conference League last 16 tie at Copenhagen next Thursday before hosting Leicester City a week on Sunday.
Southampton aren’t in action until they visit leaders Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday, March 8.
Highlights: Chelsea return to winning ways to inflict more pain on Saints
Video credit: TNT Sports
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LEVI COLWILL MARKS 22ND BIRTHDAY TOMORROW WITH THE EARLY PRESENT OF A GOAL
The Blues defender spoke to us pitch-side at Stamford Bridge and talked Nkunku, Neto, youngsters with big potential and hope that this win can be the platform for a strong run to finish the season in the PL.
Watch the interview below.
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THE TNT SPORTS EXPERTS REACT TO A DOMINANT WIN FOR CHELSEA
ALLY MCCOIST: "The only thing missing was perhaps a goal from Palmer. But it was convincing.
"The defending wasn’t good from Southampton... It's going to be a long, long end to the season for Southampton.
"It's tells us more about Southampton than Chelsea, but it was just what the Dr ordered for Chelsea."
RIO FERDINAND: "The two centre backs, Tosin and Colwill, they were very solid and allowed the team to breathe and go forward. They had the perfect opponent today against Southampton."
He added: "It's a real confidence boost and a momentum builder."
JOE COLE: "It was a clinical professional performance from Chelsea.
"The movement, passing through the lines... It was comfortable and very much what the club needed. It's been a very difficult time [over the past few months].
Neto ‘absolutely thumps’ Chelsea into two-goal lead against struggling Saints
Video credit: TNT Sports
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CHELSEA CRUISE PAST SAINTS TO GET EURO PUSH BACK ON TRACK
Chelsea ease some of the heat on boss Enzo Maresca with a convincing victory over a struggling Southampton, who have now lost 12 of their last 14 PL matches.
The Saints are 13 points adrift of safety and have lost six league games this term by three or more goals, making it a matter of when they return to the Championship rather than if they can mount a great escape.
Chelsea will hope this is the catalyst for a strong end to the season to bolster their push for a top-four finish, after a mid-season wobble that saw them dramatically fade from a possible title challenge having taken just nine points from their last 10 PL matches prior to tonight.
Cucurella scores Chelsea fourth to put gloss on fine display
Video credit: TNT Sports
90+5'
90+5'
FULL TIME!
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton.
90+2'
90+2'
CHELSEA ATTEMPT
Ramsdale beats Palmer's tame 25-yard free kick to safety.
90'
Southampton
90'
SOUTHAMPTON CHANGE
Wellington on for Sugawara.
90'
Chelsea
90'
CHELSEA CHANGE
Fernandez off, Mheuka on.
89'
89'
CHELSEA ATTEMPT
Ramsdale springs to his left to push away Fernandez's 20-yard thunderbolt.
87'
87'
VIDEO: CUCURELLA SNARES CHELSEA'S FOURTH OF THE NIGHT
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+
85'
Southampton
85'
SOUTHAMPTON CHANGE
Archer on for Downes.
84'
Chelsea
84'
CHELSEA CHANGES
Nkunku and Caicedo off.
Amougou and Acheampong on.
82'
82'
A BIG NIGHT FOR NETO
80'
80'
SOUTHAMPTON WERE THEIR OWN WORST ENEMY ... AGAIN
The Saints were caught out from their own corner there with Chelsea breaking at speed and ruthlessly punishing them.
78'
78'
GOAL! - CHELSEA 4-0 SOUTHAMPTON: (CUCURELLA)
The hosts finally add to their tally as Cucurella rifles a fine finish beyond Ramsdale from Tyrique George's excellent pull back from the right byline.
76'
76'
AS IT STANDS
Chelsea will move up to fourth spot with some of their Euro rivals still to play in this midweek round of matches.
It continues to look bleak for the bottom-placed Saints who look set to suffer a 22nd defeat of the season.
74'
74'
STAR MAN TONIGHT?
He's a strong shout along with Nkunku.
72'
72'
OUCH!
70'
70'
CHELSEA CHANCE
Tyrique George almost makes a dream impact but the youngster sizzles a strike from the right side of the box past the near upright.
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Highlights: Chelsea return to winning ways to inflict more pain on Saints
Video credit: TNT Sports