Chelsea v Southampton LIVE: Result and reaction as Blues hammer Saints in Premier League
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton: The Blues cruise to victory as Nkunku, Neto, Colwill and Cucurella all find the net
Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League's top four with a straightforward 4-0 win against Southampton at Stamford Bridge that edged the visitors a step nearer to relegation.
Around 200 home supporters gathered outside the ground with banners and smoke flares ahead of kick-off to voice opposition to the club's ownership but tensions were eased, temporarily perhaps, as Enzo Maresca's team scored three in the first half to win for only the third time in 11 in the league.
Christopher Nkunku netted his 14th of the season in all competitions, Pedro Neto scored a rare but needed goal in his personal quest for confidence and Levi Colwill headed a third. Marc Cucurella's finish from Tyrique George's cutback completed the rout.
If there was a negative it was that Cole Palmer failed to end what is now a seven-game run without a goal and in doing so missed a glut of presentable chances.
Relive all the action from Stamford Bridge here:
WATCH: Colwill makes it 3-0
Here’s that third Chelsea goal from Levi Colwill
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 3-0 Southampton
That’s half-time. Once Nkunku broke the deadlock, Chelsea have been on cruise control.
This is a much-needed, ‘get well’ game for the Blues and is properly reigniting their Champions League charge
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 45+2 mins
Southampton looks shell-shocked here. They might have fancied their chances to springing an upset against a Chelsea side lacking in confidence but it’s over before half-time.
Two minutes of injury time.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Southampton (Levi Colwill, 44 mins)
Too easy for Chelsea. Neto curls a free-kick into the box, Levi Colwill attacks it at the back post and heads past Ramsdale.
That wraps up the points for the Blues before half-time
WATCH: Neto doubles Chelsea's lead
Here’s how Pedro Neto made it 2-0 to Chelsea
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Southampton (Pedro Neto, 37 mins)
There’s the second goal for Chelsea! Downes gives the ball away, it’s slipped to Nkunku who allows Pedro Neto to make the run off him and finds a pinpoint reverse pass to slip the No 9 in.
It’s a good finish, hard at Ramsdale’s near post and flies in. The Blues in control
MISS! Chelsea 1-0 Southampton, 34 mins
How has Cole Palmer not made it 2-0? He cuts in from the right with a sumptuous touch after Sancho’s post and for all money looks set to curl it into the far corner but curls it wide.
Neto was coming in at the back post and looked like he might even turn it home but seemed to stop rather than attack the ball for the tap-in!
SAVE! Chelsea 1-0 Southampton, 32 mins
Jorgensen really doesn’t look comfortable with the ball at his feet. Southampton will fancy their chances on capitalising ona mistake.
BUT THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH HIS HANDS! That’s a brilliant save as a cross comes in from Sulemana, Onuachu powers a header at goal at the back post and Jorgensen spring to his left to push it away. He didn’t have much time to react there.
WATCH: Christopher Nkunku heads Chelsea in front
Here’s how the Blues took the lead:
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Southampton (Christopher Nkunku, 24 mins)
But there’s the breakthrough! From the corner following Ramsdale’s save, the cross comes in, Colwill gets a flick on and Christopher Nkunku stoops to head in at the back post.
He got goalside of Smallbone and then stuck his head where it might hurt with Ramsdale rushing out. A brave finish and Chelsea lead.
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