Chelsea easily defeated Southampton to maintain their impressive run of form. Joe Aribo momentarily equalized for The Saints after Axel Disasi’s early opening. Still, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke made it 3-1 before Jack Stephens was sent off for tugging Marc Cucurella’s hair. After the break, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho capped the onslaught, closing the gap on leaders Liverpool.
Noni Madueke shone, and Cole Palmer scored again, as Chelsea won 5-1 against 10-man Southampton, closing the gap on leaders Liverpool.
After seven minutes, the Blues took the lead when Axel Disasi nodded home Enzo Fernandez’s left-wing corner from close range.
Southampton equalized four minutes later when Joe Aribo finished off excellent work from Kyle Walker-Peters, but a mistake by goalkeeper Joe Lumley allowed Madueke to set up Christopher Nkunku to roll into an empty net and restore the visitors’ lead on 17 minutes.
Maresca feels Chelsea is ‘not ready’ to contend for the Premier League title. Maresca feels Chelsea is ‘not ready’ to contend for the Premier League title.
The outstanding Madueke then got in on the scoring act, cutting in from the right and curling a magnificent strike into the far corner past the half-hour mark.
Southampton’s evening took a turn for the worst just before halftime when Jack Stephens received a straight red card after the referee was instructed to consult the pitch-side monitor for his pull on Marc Cucurella’s hair.
Chelsea dominated the second half and ultimately scored again, with Palmer tapping into an empty net after Nkunku’s strike dribbled past Lumley.
Enzo Maresca’s troops secured a comprehensive victory with a fifth goal from substitute Jadon Sancho three minutes from time.
The result brings The Blues to within seven points of leaders Liverpool, who drew at Newcastle, while The Saints remain at the bottom of the Premier League table, having lost 11 of their 14 games this season.
Southampton will next play Aston Villa on Saturday, followed by Chelsea against Tottenham on Sunday.
