Chelsea 4-0 Southampton: Saints the architects of their own downfall once again as Blues run riot at Stamford Bridge | OneFootball

Chelsea secured a much-needed return to winning ways courtesy of a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Southampton on Tuesday evening.

After three straight matches on enemy territory, the Blues were back on home turf and were in control of the majority of the ball possession early on.

However, Southampton had the first sight of goal in the 14th minute through Paul Onuachu, who was unable to test Filip Jorgensen from a tight angle.

Chelsea responded with an effort of theirs barely two minutes later, although, like Onuachu, Cole Palmer also posed no significant threat from his attempt.

Palmer was in on the act once again shortly afterwards, having been presented with a glorious opportunity, but the Chelsea man was denied by Aaron Ramsdale.

From the resulting corner, a Tosin Adarabioyo flick-on was diverted home by Christopher Nkunku for his first goal since netting against Southampton back in December.

Barely 10 minutes after taking the lead, Chelsea were nearly pegged back by Onuachu, who drew a fine save out of Jorgensen from point-blank range.

Having survived a major scare at the other end, Enzo Maresca’s men could so easily have doubled their advantage through Palmer as the Englishman dragged his effort wide after some lovely play in the box.

Chelsea were starting to up the ante in search of a second goal before the break which arrived six minutes shy of the interval when a loose pass from Flynn Downes afforded Nkunku the opportunity to play Pedro Neto through on goal before the winger rifled the ball past Ramsdale.

That was Southampton’s 19th error leading to a goal this season, highlighting how much they have contributed to their own struggles.

A two-goal deficit soon became three in the 43rd minute with Neto turning provider from a set piece for Levi Colwill to find the back of the net for the first time since December 2023.

Off the back of one of his most productive halves of the campaign, Nkunku was not showing any signs of letting off and called Ramsdale into action early in the second half.

Evidently eager to get himself on the score sheet, Palmer took two cracks at goal less than 120 seconds apart, largely untroubling Ramsdale with the first, while blazing the second over the bar.

Substituted on for the final quarter of the game, academy graduate Tyrique George nearly found the back of the net with his first touch of the game but sent his effort a tad high and wide.

Southampton continued to push forward in search of a consolation goal and were further put to the sword on the counter courtesy of Marc Cucurella’s smashing finish from George’s inch-perfect cross.

In what was his final act before being substituted off for Shumaira Mheuka, Enzo Fernandez drew an acrobatic save from Ramsdale, who was also on hand to deny Mheuka a dream Premier League debut moments later.

Perhaps the only blemish on an otherwise perfect night, Palmer’s search for a confidence-boosting strike was denied once again as he was thwarted by Ramsdale with almost the last kick of the game.

Following their commanding win, Chelsea have moved up to fourth in the Premier League table, one point clear of Manchester City ahead of their clash against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow.

Southampton, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the standings and are now a whopping 13 points adrift of safety with 11 games left to play.