Chelsea delivered a dominant performance to secure a much-needed 4-0 victory over Southampton at Stamford Bridge, lifting Enzo Maresca’s side to fourth in the Premier League standings. The emphatic win ended a three-game losing streak and provided a major boost in the race for Champions League qualification.
First-half goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Levi Colwill put Chelsea in complete control against the league’s bottom-placed side. The home crowd, which had been tense before kick-off due to a small protest against the club’s ownership, quickly found reason to cheer as their team took command of the match early on.
Chelsea’s dominance continued into the second half, with Marc Cucurella netting a fourth goal late in the game. The Spaniard’s strike was set up by academy graduate Tyrique George, who impressed after coming off the bench.
The victory was even more significant as results elsewhere favored Chelsea in the race for a Champions League spot. Bournemouth and Aston Villa both suffered defeats on Tuesday night, further solidifying Chelsea’s position in the top four. With fifth place currently enough to qualify for the Champions League, Maresca’s men are now just one point behind third place.
However, concerns remain over the form of Cole Palmer. The young forward missed two golden opportunities in the first half and has now gone seven matches without a goal in all competitions. Additionally, he has failed to register an assist in 14 games, raising questions about his confidence.
For Southampton, their struggles in the Premier League continue, with the threat of setting a new record for the lowest points tally in league history looming large. With 11 games remaining, they require at least three points to avoid surpassing Derby County’s infamous record as the worst-performing side in Premier League history. On the evidence of their latest display, achieving that feat will be a major challenge.
Chelsea will look to build on this result as they push for a top-four finish, while Southampton face an uphill battle to salvage what remains of their season.
Kauki Sulaiman