
Image credits: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Chelsea's recent struggles in the Premier League seemed to fade away as they dominated Southampton 4-0 at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella. The win marked a significant turnaround for the Blues, who had suffered back-to-back defeats against Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion. Despite the convincing victory, head coach Enzo Maresca acknowledged that the team had been in their "worst moment" of the season, but expressed happiness with the performance and the three points that came with it.
The match saw Chelsea take control from the start, with Nkunku opening the scoring midway through the first half with a close-range header. Neto and Colwill added to the tally before the interval, and Cucurella sealed the win with a late counter-attack goal. The victory, combined with Bournemouth's 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove, propelled Chelsea to fourth in the Premier League table, with fifth-placed Manchester City and sixth-placed Newcastle United trailing by two points. Maresca emphasized the importance of managing emotions until the end of the season, as every game becomes crucial in the battle for a top-four finish.
Southampton, on the other hand, struggled to contain Chelsea's attack, with the visitors' defense being breached repeatedly throughout the match. The Saints' woes were compounded by the absence of key players, including on-loan midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, who was ineligible to face his parent club. Despite a spirited start, Southampton's threat on the counter was eventually neutralized by Chelsea's dominant performance. The loss marked the Saints' 14th defeat in their last 17 league games, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.
The win was a welcome boost for Chelsea, who had been struggling to find consistency in recent weeks. The team's injuries had taken a toll, with key players like Wesley Fofana, Roméo Lavia, and Nicolas Jackson missing from the lineup. However, the Blues' depth and resilience were on full display as they adapted to the absences and secured a convincing victory. As the season enters its final stretch, Chelsea will look to build on this momentum and secure a top-four finish, while Southampton will aim to salvage what has been a disappointing campaign.
Here are the match scores and standings:
- Chelsea 4, Southampton 0
- Premier League standings:
- Nottingham Forest - 3rd
- Chelsea - 4th
- Manchester City - 5th
- Newcastle United - 6th
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