Chelsea scored three first-half goals for the second Premier League away game running to ease past Southampton in Sunday's clash.
Match Report
Another win, and another textbook example of why trusting in youth can yield results. Frank Lampard's Chelsea brushed aside Southampton at St Mary's with Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount once again shining in the senior ranks.
Chelsea dominated from the outset and took the lead when Abraham's looping finish from Callum Hudson-Odoi's pass was adjudged to have crossed the line before Maya Yoshida's intervention.
Mason Mount doubled the Blues' lead from close range, before Danny Ings poked home Yan Valery's cut-back to reduce the arrears.
The visitors restored their two-goal advantage five minutes before half-time, N'Golo Kante's strike from the edge of the area taking a wicked deflection off Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on its way past Angus Gunn.
Two second-half substitutes combined to set up Chelsea's fourth, Michy Batshuayi slotting home Christian Pulisic's through-ball to put the seal on a comfortable victory for Frank Lampard's side.
The result leaves struggling Southampton in 16th place - just one point above the relegation zone.
Match Events
1' CLOSE! Redmond's shot over the bar
Hojbjerg works the ball to Redmond 25 yards from goal and the winger goes for goal with a crisp right-footed strike. He connects well with the shot, but it sails just over the bar.
11' SAVE! Abraham's shot saved
Hudson-Odoi collects in the final third and offloads towards Abraham on the edge of the box. He takes one touch to move the ball on his left foot before striking towards the left bottom corner, but Gunn gets down to make the save.
17' GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Chelsea (Abraham)
A simple ball over the top from Hudson-Odoi releases the forward. Gunn rushes off his line to try to get there ahead of Abraham. However, he hooks it towards the target and it travels over the line despite the best efforts of Yoshida covering back. The goal was given by the technology on the wrist of referee Paul Tierney.
24' GOAL! Southampton 0-2 Chelsea (Mount)
Chelsea capitalise on a defensive error from Bednarek as Mount smashes the ball home. The Southampton defender tries to send a deft header out from the back. Willian pounces and combines with Hudson-Odoi to release Mount into the box. The midfielder hold his composure to blast his strike past Gunn from six yards.
30' GOAL! Southampton 1-2 Chelsea (Ings)
The Saints get one goal back as Ings steers home from close range. Valery opens up the Chelsea defence down the right flank, weaving his way through four players. He fires a low ball across the face of goal where Ings gets ahead of Zouma to divert his strike past Kepa.
40' GOAL! Southampton 1-3 Chelsea (Kante)
The Blues regain their two-goal cushion as Kante's blast is deflected past Gunn by Bednarek. Alonso has the freedom of the left flank and he raids forward. He cuts his pass back to Kante on the edge of the box. He lines up a strike on his right foot that hits Bednarek and wrong-foots Gunn to find the right side of the net.
49' WHAT A CHANCE! Hudson-Odoi's shot saved
Gunn keeps Southampton in the game with a vital save to deny Hudson-Odoi. Willian releases the winger into space down the left flank and he cuts inside to shoot low towards the right bottom corner. However, Gunn sticks out a leg and diverts it wide of the target.
89' GOAL! Southampton 1-4 Chelsea (Batshuayi)
Chelsea have their fourth goal as Batshuayi provides a clinical finish with his left foot. He combines with Pulisic in the final third as the American releases his run with a fine pass with the outside of his boot. Batshuayi holds his composure to drill his strike through the legs of Gunn into the net.
Player Ratings
milliyung
1804
ABRAHAM PLS REMOVE UR MASK WE KNOW U ARE DROGBA
Nesaiknruy_Legend
266
I forgot to mention him but the Referee today was an absolute plank. This guy was fully playing for Southampton. We played against 12 players and still won.... No wonder Prem refs are refereeing on bigger stages....
Thalaj
266
Smile described
Trevorn
250
8 goals in EPL from 9 matches
buzmorsty
172
Let's be realistic man chelsea play beautiful football under lampard they are even attractive to watch big up chelsea
Tochukwu112
131
Hudson odoi, Willian, mount, Abraham, Batshuayi all in form... Lampard will need sarri's weed for this headache
nchris
131
the transfer ban has really helped the young players to show what they are worth 🔥...
Nesaiknruy_Legend
126
I've been getting on Willian recently cos I've genuinely thought he hasn't been great in recent games but today boy was he a man possessed, I hope this isnt 1 of his 1 off games where he puts a 10/10 then disappears cos this is the Willian I want to see, today he deserves the MOTM award for sure.. .
Desmondeyum
114
Chelsea- Southampton Thoughts: • Willian MOTM • Kanté & Jorginho excellent • Tammy is a damn good ST • Mount continues production • CHO continues assist streak • CB’s up & down • Alonso good • Kepa a lil shaky w/ ball • Pulisic, class assist • Lamps got it all right
bluesss
106
I am so happy that pulisic got an assist when he was given chance. he had proved when given the chance. so, all lampard need to do is play pedro and william less and odoi and pulisic more. the no. 9 curse have really be broken. abraham top scorer with augero and mount proving why he is in first 11.
MANDY92
100
TAMMY Abraham.. 8 goals in 8 matches...no penalty.... all hit with his pace and effort unlike those that can't score without Pk.... Keep the blues flag ⛳ fly high.
kware001
100
As a Nigerian, I feel very sad seeing Abraham's incredible performance owing to the fact that he is not playing for my national team but by the way I wish him all the best as he lead the England team
Mosanya
91
Chelsea's future looks bright! Callum Hudson-Odoi: 18 years old Reece James: 19 years old Mason Mount: 20 years old Christian Pulisic: 21 years old Tammy Abraham: 22 years old
Upwardly2015
85
Let me specially congratulate Frank Lampard and his boys for the yet another game won today. They deserve to be celebrated bearing in mind the ban on buying players. The likes of Tammy Abraham, Mount and other young boys are doing well. Congratulations to the Blues.
moonq
81
GIF link Here: http://bit.ly/2nkRD7S
MIZTABARAT
72
I love pulisic after 6 game, Sou vs che 80min sub assist that is captain America pulisic
bastv
54
No No No!! Remove your Mask, we know you Are Manchester City 😂😂
Rakesh_Talsaniya
48
Its love To watch how chelsea plays attacking football , i wish man United find someone who plays attacking football
Cincemopz
41
so now football is starting line up players play for themselves and bench players also play for themselves too. the only pain I have now is my best friend is Man United fans and Chelsea soccer all the goals even Man city can't get 1 what about Manchester [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Jubamnrz
38
Captain america assisted with only 10 minutes😉😊a legend
gitanmessi10
34
after worst start Chelsea slowly pickup their best
Nesaiknruy_Legend
34
Great game, everything that we need to go right went right other than some defensive frailties. Cant really fault a single player today, rather just a collective defensive failure which should be corrected when Rudiger steps into the side... Collected the 3 points and we move on. UTC! KTBFFH!
Wepciklpsy
33
real competition in the squad. Abraham scores Mitcy scores Odoi assists Pulisic assists
abubilal
33
See chelsea head like cry laugh of All football
desacdlry
32
Abraham is Drogba's son