Axel Disasi scored the opening goal for Chelsea (Image: Getty)
Chelsea were rampant as they thrashed 10-man Southampton 4-1 at St. Mary’s. Axel Disasi scored the opening goal on the seventh minute when he headed home Enzo Fernandez’s corner inside the six-yard box.
Just four minutes later the hosts were level when Kyle Walker-Peters made a fool of Fernandez in his own penalty area, nut-megging the man before squaring for Joe Aribo to tap home.
Southampton keeper Joe Lumley passed the ball straight to Noni Madueke on the 17th minute and he slid a pass to Christopher Nkunku to score in an open net from 18 yards.
Madueke got himself on the scoresheet on the 34th minute, cutting in off the right and curling an effort into the far bottom corner.
Seven minutes before half-time, Jack Stephens was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair at a corner. notched his ninth of the season as the three points were wrapped up in convincing style, before Jadon Sancho added a fifth from the bench in the dying minutes.
Express Sport rates the players below…
Chelsea player ratings vs Southampton
Filip Jorgensen – 7
A relatively quiet evening but made a key stop with his legs to deny Mateus Fernandes just shy of the hour mark to keep the two goal advantage.
Malo Gusto – 6
Offered options going forward and had little to do at the back.
Axel Disasi – 7
Headed home the opening goal by beating the keeper to an in-swinging corner from close range. Solid at the back.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 6
Lost his marker for the opening goal. Hit the woodwork once in each half. Should have
Marc Cucurella – 6
Got Jack Stephens set off when he dropped to the ground after feeling his hair was being pulled.
Noni Madueke curled an effort into the bottom corner (Image: Getty)
Moises Caicedo – 6
Kept the ball moving and had no real challenge in the centre of the park.
Enzo Fernandez – 8
Brilliantly whipped a corner into the six-yard box for the opening goal of the game but was nut-megged for the hosts’ opener. Was the heartbeat of the team and his throughball for Nkunku created the fourth.
Noni Madueke – 7
Was sharp to latch onto the Southampton goalkeeper’s loose pass and set up Nkunku. A smart finish for his goal and looked very dangerous but lacked a final finish and missed a couple of easy chances late on.
– 8
Instrumental in everything did going forward. Would have had a handful of assists if it wasn’t for wasteful finishing. Scored the fourth by following in Nkunku’s effort.
Joao Felix – 6
Dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box midway through the first half. Set up Madueke for the third. Missed a sitter 30 seconds into the second half with an unmarked header six yards out.
Christopher Nkunku – 7
Couldn’t miss when putting 2-1 up, slotting into an open net from 18 yards. Set up Palmer for the fourth.
Subs
Jadon Sancho 7 (on for Madueke, 72)
Dewsbury-Hall 6 (for Palmer, 79)
Veiga 6 (for Cucurella, 79)