Southampton's player ratings after an intriguingly contrasting Chelsea defeat | OneFootball

Grading every starting player's performance as Southampton's defence was completely annihilated by Chelsea.

Following the full-time whistle at Stamford Bridge, Southampton fans would have felt just like any other match week experience. Rivals scoring for fun, the attack went toothless again - every Saint has become accustomed to watching a similar story repeating itself uncountably.

Yet, there was an intriguing but hardly significant change between this fixture and the prior one. Any guesses? Well, it was the fact that Southampton conceded thrice in the opening half against Chelsea as compared to a single one against Brighton.

Told it before, it's barely making any difference. That being said, let's see whether any Southampton starter managed a difference-making performance on a scale of 1-10.

Southampton's player ratings after an intriguingly contrasting Chelsea defeat

GK - Aaron Ramsdale: 5

Didn't put a foot wrong but could have done better on a few first half goals.

CB - Armel Bella-Kotchap: 5

Good to see him commanding the defensive shape but Bella-Kotchap needs to work more on his pace.

CB - James Bree: 4

Chelsea knew about Bree's positioning lapses and came prepared to take advantage of that. With a majority of the goals coming from Bree's flank, it can be concluded that the hosts perfectly executed their strategy.

CB - Joe Aribo: 5

Must thank Ramsdale for covering up his lethargic man-marking on a few occasions.

LWB - Kyle Walker-Peters: 5

Felt helpless after watching his teammates struggle with Chelsea's pinpoint crosses.

RWB - Yukinari Sugawara: 5

Made a failed blocking attempt on Cucurella's goal. Also, he was unlucky that Onuachu's rebound effort didn't fall towards him after making a good run.

CM - Flynn Downes: 3

Comfortably lost the aerial duel against Adarabioyo during the opening goal. Later, made a misplaced pass to double Southampton's agony ending any hopes of a draw.

CM - Will Smallbone: 4

Bad decision making to play Nkunku onside when almost every Southampton player implemented an offside gameplan.

CAM - Mateus Fernandes: 4

Operated as a playmaker and tried initiating a few counter-attacks with negligible success.

ST - Kamaldeen Sulemana: 4