Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, and Jadon Sancho were the latest to tear past Southampton, who remain at the bottom of the Premier League.
Meanwhile, the Blues continue to put pressure on Liverpool, with fans singing about having “their Chelsea back”.
Maresca displayed a much different side and reminded us of the depth he offers. Enzo Fernandez, Joao Felix, and Nkunku all impressed but may yet be dropped against Tottenham on Sunday.
Southampton have been in the holiday spirit since late August, awarding points to practically everyone they’ve met.
The Saints’ generosity has manifested itself in the form of constant blunders, and their list of disasters continues here.
Joe Lumley, the fourth-choice keeper, gave up one goal before captain Jack Stephens was sent off in the first half for a rash pull on Marc Cucurella’s hair.
There was hope when Joe Aribo scored an early leveller, but it swiftly faded.
Chelsea’s “worst” game of the season, according to Maresca, was against rock-bottom Southampton, who were missing 11 players due to injury or suspension.
Nonetheless, the Italian made seven changes, the most significant of which was Filip Jorgensen making his Premier League debut in goal, replacing Robert Sanchez.
Despite having to field a patched-together squad, Russell Martin’s side gave Chelsea a couple of early concerns on the ball but were shortly undone by a set piece. Fernandez dipped a corner to the near post, leaving Disasi free to nod in after Lumley was crowded out and unable to leap to punch clear.
Southampton has often folded at the first hint of trouble this season, but they recovered brilliantly here, making Martin’s later fall all the more frustrating.
Walker-Peters feeds Cameron Archer before rushing in behind himself.
The former Spurs player was playing in a back three but found himself on the Chelsea byline, where he back-heeled the ball through Fernandez’s legs and squared for Aribo to tap in.
While they showed spurts of effort forward, Southampton were left in shambles in the back as they attempted to cope with Chelsea’s variety of offensive flair.
Felix and Madueke posed a direct threat, stretching the hosts incredibly thin, with Fernandez commanding from behind.
Chelsea didn’t need anything exceptional to score their second goal against the ever-dependable Saints defense.
Lumley played a stupid ball to Walker-Peters, who was robbed by Madueke before he realized what was going on.
The England winger set up Nkunku, who had so much time to score into an open net that he could have blown up his signature balloon before scoring.
Lumley recovered admirably from his error, rejecting one Madueke attack and two Palmer shots, the second of which was a fantastic save.
However, the Saints’ goalkeeper, who only made his Premier League debut last week, could do little to prevent the Blues’ third goal.
Fernandez found Felix, who swiftly turned and passed forward to Madueke, who stood up Ryan Manning, switched to his left and hit the far corner.
