Chelsea stormed back into the Premier League’s top four with an emphatic 4-0 victory over bottom-placed Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
Enzo Maresca’s side ended their three-match losing streak in style, dominating a woeful Saints team from start to finish.
The comfortable win comes as a welcome relief for the Blues, who had won just two of their previous 10 league matches.
Christopher Nkunku put Chelsea ahead in the 24th minute with a brave stooping header at the far post.
Chelsea ran riot at Stamford Bridge with goals from Christopher Nkunku, Levi Colwill, Pedro Neto and Marc Cucurella
Reuters
The French forward nodded in Tosin Adarabioyo’s flick-on from a corner, crashing into Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the process.
Nkunku celebrated his 14th goal of the season in trademark fashion by blowing a blue balloon.
The goal came after Cole Palmer had earlier missed a good opportunity, firing straight at Ramsdale from close range.
Pedro Neto doubled Chelsea’s lead in the 36th minute with a clinical low finish past Ramsdale.
Nkunku turned provider this time, slipping the ball through to Neto who hammered home his fifth goal of the season.
Just before half-time, Chelsea added a third as Levi Colwill rose highest to nod in Neto’s perfectly placed free-kick.
The defender celebrated in the style of Chelsea great Didier Drogba, putting his arms out wide.
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Marc Cucurella rounded off the scoring in the 78th minute with a drilled finish to complete the rout.
The Spanish defender capped a fine counter-attack after being set up by substitute Tyrique George.
Chelsea could have scored even more, with Cole Palmer particularly wasteful as he extended his goal drought to seven games.
The 22-year-old England forward hasn’t found the net in the Premier League since January 14.
Before the match, around 100-150 Chelsea fans gathered outside Stamford Bridge to protest against Todd Boehly’s ownership group.
Demonstrators chanted “we want our Chelsea back” and sang former owner Roman Abramovich’s name.
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Pedro Neto starred up front for Chelsea with Nicolas Jackson injured
Reuters
One fan held a homemade sign telling the owners: “We’re not Arsenal. Win or f*** off.”
Others marched together down Fulham Road, expressing frustration at the club’s direction under the current ownership.
Southampton’s dismal season continues as they remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table with just nine points from 27 matches.
Ivan Juric’s side have conceded 11 goals in their last three league games, with their manager recently branding their season a “disaster”.
The Saints have lost 14 of their past 17 league games and are on course for one of the worst seasons in Premier League history.
They currently need three more points to avoid falling below Derby’s record low of 11.
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Cole Palmer’s form was Chelsea’s only concern and appeared to be snatching at his chances
Reuters
Chelsea now sit fourth in the Premier League table, two points clear of Manchester City and Newcastle.
Both those clubs could move back above the Blues if they win their respective matches on Wednesday against Tottenham and Liverpool.
The victory revives Chelsea’s bid to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2022.
Maresca had insisted he was “more sure” than ever that Chelsea were on the right track despite recent poor results.