Goals from Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Colwill and Cucurella earns Blues a first win in four matches in all competitions
Chelsea delivered a commanding performance at Stamford Bridge, securing a 4-0 victory over Southampton to move into fourth place in the Premier League table. Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella ended the Blues’ three-game losing streak in all competitions.
Chelsea’s Must-Win Match Ends in a Convincing Victory
After suffering three consecutive defeats, Chelsea needed a strong response, and they got it in style against bottom-placed Southampton. The Blues wasted little time asserting their dominance, with Nkunku heading home the opener in the 24th minute before setting up Neto for the second goal. Colwill extended the lead just before halftime, while Cucurella sealed the win late in the second half.
This emphatic win lifted Enzo Maresca’s side above Bournemouth, Newcastle United, and Manchester City into fourth place, though both Newcastle and City have a game in hand. Southampton, on the other hand, remain at the bottom of the table with just nine points from 27 matches.
First-Half Brilliance Sets the Tone for Chelsea
Chelsea started with intensity, creating the first major chance in the 23rd minute when Cole Palmer was sent through by Enzo Fernandez, but his shot was saved by Aaron Ramsdale. However, from the resulting corner, Tosin flicked Fernandez’s delivery toward Nkunku, who made no mistake with a close-range header.
Despite Palmer missing another good opportunity, Chelsea doubled their lead soon after. Nkunku turned provider, threading a pass to Pedro Neto, who rifled a powerful shot past Ramsdale at the near post.
Chelsea effectively wrapped up the game before halftime as Neto’s deep free-kick found Colwill, who rose highest to nod in the third goal.
Cucurella Rounds Off a Dominant Display
The Blues continued to push for more in the second half, with Ramsdale making a smart save to deny Nkunku’s header. Youngster Tyrique George also had a chance, but his shot from a tight angle went over the bar.
Chelsea’s fourth goal arrived in the 78th minute. A swift counter-attack saw George play an intelligent pass to Cucurella, who fired into the bottom-right corner to complete the rout.
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Chelsea’s Depth Proves Crucial Amid Palmer’s Dip in Form
While Palmer has been Chelsea’s standout performer this season, his recent struggles have coincided with the team’s poor run of results. The attacker failed to register a goal or assist in six consecutive matches before this game and missed two clear chances in the first half.
However, Chelsea’s depth proved crucial as Nkunku and Neto stepped up to lead the charge. Both players have struggled with injuries and inconsistent form since arriving at Stamford Bridge, but against Southampton, they showed their attacking quality by contributing a goal and an assist each.
With a home fixture against Leicester City up next, Chelsea have a great opportunity to build on this victory and maintain their push for a Champions League spot.
Southampton’s Defensive Issues Persist
Southampton came into the game on the back of a 4-0 defeat to Brighton, and despite manager Ivan Juric making several changes, their defensive woes continued.
Paul Onuachu had two good chances in the first half, first sending a shot over the bar and then seeing a back-post header clawed away by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. However, individual errors once again proved costly for the Saints.
Flynn Downes gifted Chelsea their second goal with a careless pass straight to Cucurella, allowing the hosts to break forward and set up Neto’s strike. Similarly, Cucurella’s late goal came after a Southampton attack broke down, leaving Chelsea with a numerical advantage on the counter.
Relegation Looms for Southampton
Southampton now sit 13 points from safety with only 33 points left to play for, making relegation a near certainty. Their next fixture, a trip to face Liverpool at Anfield, presents another daunting challenge. With time running out, Juric must find a way to tighten his team’s defense if they are to avoid finishing bottom of the table.
What the Managers Said
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea Manager):
“We all needed that. We were in a bad run in terms of results. The performance was always there, maybe except against Brighton. The club needed that win. From now on, every game is important, and if we keep getting three points, it’s even better.”
Ivan Juric (Southampton Manager):
“I think the first 20 minutes we did really well, we had a great chance with Paul [Onuachu] and we didn’t score. We then conceded from a set-piece, and you cannot allow those kinds of goals against Chelsea. It’s a really tough situation, but we have to prepare well and keep going. This is a moment to be strong and give our best.”
What’s Next for Chelsea and Southampton?
Chelsea will face Leicester City at home on March 9 before a crucial away fixture against Arsenal. Their next few matches will be key in determining their European qualification hopes.
Southampton, meanwhile, travel to Liverpool on March 8 in what promises to be another difficult test for the struggling Saints. Their chances of survival are slim, but a strong finish to the season could give them momentum heading into the Championship next season.
