Chelsea back to winning ways as Southampton’s sorry season continues

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.

Southampton had made the brighter start. Paul Onuachu seemed surprised to find himself in space inside Chelsea’s box after 15 minutes, lumping his snap attempt forcefully over the angle of post and crossbar.

Home supporters were audibly frustrated by their team’s start. On multiple occasions, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen kept the ball at his feet with virtually no options ahead of him as fans implored movement and greater initiative against the league’s bottom side.

Two lovely, direct passes finally broke Southampton’s lines, the first drilled upfield by Tosin Adarabioyo, the second a finessed, intelligent ball by Enzo Fernandez that released Palmer who fired uncharacteristically wide.

Palmer was again the beneficiary of Fernandez’s vision minutes later, but this time Aaron Ramsdale was out to meet him and smother the shot behind.

From the corner