CHELSEA’S awful run of form continued as the Blues lost to bottom of the Premier League Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
James Ward-Prowse scored the only goal of the game just before half-time, curling in an absolute trademark peach of a free-kick past the outstretched hand of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Saints had the better chances in the first-half and deserved to hold on for all three points in a spirited performance that will be a huge bonus in their fight for survival.
Chelsea started like a rabbit caught in the headlights – almost conceding from a Benoit Badiashile mistake in the first minute – and didn’t improve much from there.
Under-pressure Graham Potter had made six changes before the game as he sought to end the Blues’ dreadful spell, but it did no use as Southampton dominated the opening half.
Potter then mixed it up at half-time, bringing on Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana – and later Mykhailo Mudryk, Kai Havertz and Conor Gallagher – but while the Blues huffed and puffed, they never came close to blowing the Southampton door down.
There was almost comically poor finishing from Chelsea, with Mason Mount’s missed header and Raheem Sterling twice looking like it was easier to score.
There was also an extremely worrying stoppage when Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta took a boot square in the face from Sekou Mara’s attempted overhead kick.
The Spaniard was down for almost 10 minutes and received oxygen before leaving the Stamford Bridge pitch on a stretcher and with his neck in a brace.
Chelsea have now won just two of their last 11 in the Premier League and Blues fans certainly let their team know how unhappy they are, with full-time boos the loudest noise on a poor day at Stamford Bridge.
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Here, Tom Sheen gives his view on the men in Blue after their 1-0 defeat to Southampton.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6/10
Made himself big to save Badiashile’s skin in the first minute and stop a brilliant chance for Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Could do nothing about another perfectly placed James Ward-Prowse free-kick and then made himself big as Walcott fired a cross in.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Had a decent game overall but made a crucial error, giving away the foul on the edge of the box from which Ward-Prowse scored – the Chelsea captain knew his mistake immediately, as he slammed his head on his hands as soon as giving the foul away.
Worryingly, was down for several minutes and carried off on a stretcher in a neck brace and oxygen mask after taking a boot to the face from Sekou Mara.
Kalidou Koulibaly – 3
Dragged off at half-time after a woeful performance in which he was bullied by Paul Onuachu, losing both the physical and technical battle.
Blocked a shot off the line within two minutes but it was all downhill from there.
Benoit Badiashile – 5
Almost gifted Southampton a goal in the opening minute as he was lazily caught by Sulemana trying to overplay at the back.
Certainly performed better than his centre-back partner, but this was probably Badiashile’s worst peformance in Blue.
Ben Chilwell – 5
Always a willing runner and an outlet but the quality of his delivery was seriously lacking today.
He had half a dozen chances to cross, from open play and from dead-balls, and not one really found their mark.
Enzo Fernandez – 4
After a bright start to his Chelsea career, it came crashing back to Earth a bit today.
Southampton’s midfielders swarmed him every time he touched the ball and he looked overwhelmed, failing o pick out even one of his trademark passes. Very disappointing.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
Out-performed his midfield partner both in his defensive and offensive work, with a couple of nice early passes and important defensive actions.
However, like Enzo, Kovacic was out-battled and out-played by the Southampton midfield, who overrun Chelsea.
Noni Madueke – 5
Had a couple of extremely bright moments, with his electric run in the opening stages bringing about a shot on target and corner, as well as a neat pass round the corner for an Azpilicueta shot.
The raw, random nature of his game often seems to confuse his team-mates.
Joao Felix – 3
Wow, this was a horror afternoon for the highly-touted Portuguese, who had made such a promising start to life in Blue.
Nothing he tried came off for him today, he lost possession numerous times and his set-piece delivery was absolutely shocking.
Mason Mount – 4
Back in the side after a spell on the sidelines. But while Mount, who had a giant banner unfurled in his honour before kick-off, huffed and puffed, he showed little quality in the final third.
Started the second half as the central striker and completely missed a header when alone in the box – one of Chelsea’s best chances to that point.
David Fofana – 3
A first Premier League start for the 20-year-old striker and while he certainly offered more running than Kai Havertz has offered recently, he looks way too raw to be a regular at the moment.
Chelsea’s desperate search for a striker goes on.
Subs:
Raheem Sterling – 6
Chelsea’s only real bright spark, his introduction and direct style raised both the crowd and the rest of the team when he was introduced at half-time.
However, had two decent chances to score, one from a cut-back and one a header but both were blocked in almost comical fashion as groans went up around the ground.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Another bright spark from the bench, Chelsea will be glad to have the the defender back as he dealt with the threat of the Southampton forwards much better than Koulibaly managed in the first 45.
Trevoh Chalobah – N/A
Came on to replace the hurt Azpilicueta, but had little to do as Chelsea piled forwards.
Conor Gallagher – 5
Given very little time but fashioned one decent chance, as he went on a mazy run and fired a cross-cum-shot at Bazuna, who pushed it away.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 4
You’ve got to do more as an £80million-plus player coming on with your side a goal down.
Kept losing the ball and late on, when he had a decent chance to hit a volley, could only drag it wide.
Kai Havertz – 4
A couple of nice runs to get into some dangerous situations but, as has been the case all season, picked the wrong option at the crucial time.
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Walking off down the tunnel without acknowledging the fans was not appreciated either, as boos went up around Stamford Bridge.
Subs not used – Bettinelli, Gallagher, Zakaria,
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
