Chelsea continued their recent resurgence on the road with another imperious display on the South Coast.
With Mason Mount restored to his natural position in the midfield, Callum Hudson-Odoi made his first start of the season to the left of Tammy Abraham and it was these two who’d combine to break the deadlock after just 17 minutes. Hudson-Odoi’s through ball perfectly met the run of Abraham who lofted the ball high over the head of the onrushing Angus Gunn. Maya Yoshida’s best efforts to acrobatically clear off the line were in vain, as goal-line technology ruled that the goal should stand.
Mount then doubled the Blues’ lead, his third Premier League away goal in his last four appearances on the road, rifling the ball home from close range following a slide-rule pass from Willian. Danny Ings poked in under pressure to bring Southampton back into the game, but N’Golo Kante’s fortuitous long-range effort took a huge deflection on its way to restoring Chelsea’s two-goal lead.
Michy Batshuayi’s late goal gave the scoreline the resounding feel that Chelsea’s play deserved, as he played a lovely one-two with Christian Pulisic before slotting under Gunn.
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6
His distribution was poor and he put the backline under pressure unnecessarily at times and having not been called on to make any real saves of note he will also be disappointed to have conceded again.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 6.5
Got forward well in the first half and showed good discipline to hold back when needed in the second half.
Kurt Zouma - 7
Much improved performance from Zouma who looked composed on the ball and assertive in the air. Restricted the space in which Ings had to operate.
Fikayo Tomori - 5
Sloppy in possession and the youngster was lucky not to be punished for his lapses in concentration. He should’ve got out quicker to stop Yan Valery delivering the ball for Ings’s goal, although he showed improvements in the second half.
Marcos Alonso - 6
Just as easily as he was able to break forward Alonso was also found wanting defensively, and the two sides traded goals as a result of his exploits. First Alonso was caught out of position as Valery broke into the box for Ings’s goal before Alonso made a similar charge forward to set up Kante.
N'Golo Kante - 8
Grew into the game after the restart, restoring Chelsea’s two-goal lead as well as cutting out the fouls that had blighted his earlier work and turning over possession quickly as Chelsea began to dictate the midfield play.
Jorginho - 8.5
Controlled the midfield from deep with a good range of passing. He also made a vital interception to deny Ings a second goal, and aside from an early yellow card, the Italian didn’t put a foot wrong.
Mason Mount - 8
Finally given the license to operate in the half-spaces Mount was at his free-flowing best, linking up well with Chelsea’s frontline and mobilising most of his sides ventures forward. Showed great confidence and composure to grab Chelsea’s second goal.
Willian - 7.5
Another impressive showing from The Brazilian who continues to prove his critics wrong. The well-weighted pass into Mount is his third goal contribution in three games, but Willian’s best work came in helping cover in behind Azpilicueta and restrict Southampton from counter-attacking so freely.
Tammy Abraham - 7
Back to back goals now for Abraham who led the line impeccably and although not always at the centre of Chelsea’s attacking play he created space for others to thrive.
Callum Hudson-Odoi - 7.5
On his first Premier League start since March of this year, Hudson-Odoi continued on from where he left off playing a delightful pass into Abraham’s feet for the opening goal. Will however have been disappointed not to make more of the second-half chances he was afforded.
Subs:
Mateo Kovacic – 6, kept the ball moving and helped Chelsea consolidate possession.
Christian Pulisic – 6.5, will be glad to have made such a distinctive impact off the bench, laying on the assist for Bathsuayi’s goal.
Michy Batshuayi 7, couldn’t have asked for much more from the Belgian who showed great predatory instincts to score off the bench.