Chelsea stroll to 5-1 away win over 10-man Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON, England : Chelsea's impressive 5-1 win at bottom club Southampton closed the gap to leaders Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday, with the home side having Jack Stephens sent off before half time for a hair-pull on Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea took the lead in the seventh minute through an Axel Disasi header but Joe Aribo drew Southampton level four minutes later before a goalkeeping howler allowed Christopher Nkunku in to put the visitors back ahead within six minutes.

Noni Madueke extended Chelsea's lead 11 minutes from the break and despite the red card for Stephens, the visitors had to wait until the 76th minute before Cole Palmer added a fourth and three minutes from time Jadon Sancho rounded off the win.

Chelsea provisionally move up to second in the standings on 28 points, seven off leaders Liverpool and two ahead of Manchester City, with Arsenal, who are in action against Manchester United, a further point back. Southampton remain on five points.