Chelsea secured a very necessary victory as they withdrew from a three-match match losing 4-0 Southampton at Stamford Bridge to go to the Fourth Predicë League.
The goals of the first half by Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Net and Levi Colwill put on ease Stamford Bridge after a nervous start against the lower team of the league in the night when a small group of fans protested the ownership of the club before the match.
Chelsea never looked back with Marc Cucurella again adding a fourth goal, set up by graduate of Tyrique George Academy outside the bench, on a nearly perfect night for Enzo Maresca after the results went for his team elsewhere in the race for the Champions League qualification.
Not only does his team now move a third point, with the fifth currently enough to qualify for the Champions League, but two of their rivals, Bournemouth and Aston Villa were also beaten Tuesday evening to give them Chelsea an increased incentive.
Cole Palmer’s fighting before the goal is a constant concern, however, with Chelsea’s talisman now without a goal in seven games in all competitions and without an assist in 14, after losing two glorious chances of the first half. Faith is seemingly an issue.
For Southampton, the threat of replacing Derby as the worst team in the history of the Premier League approaches 11 games to go. They require three points to avoid setting a new record for the lower points, which will be a war that goes with this effort.
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Paul Merson was left shocked by the quality gap by Southampton’s performance and expressed concern about the south coast side after losing them 4-0 away to Chelsea
Heavenly Pundit Paul Merson was left wild by performance. “I can’t believe what I’m looking at with Southampton. I’m ardent that a team in the best league in the world is so bad,” he said Football.
Maresca needed this victory desperately, only the third of Chelsea in their last 11 matches in the league, otherwise the pressure will increase. But with a week rest now and Leicester their future opponents in the league, things are looking up. Right now at least.
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Sky Sports News’ Gary Cotterill gives the latest outside Stamford Bridge as a portion of chelsea fans protest for a ‘lack of direction’ from ownership
Analysis: Palmer is stuck in a routine
Chelsea’s Hammering of Southampton provided a perfect platform for some of Maresca’s subforcers to rediscover their confidence. But it wasn’t for Palmer.
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Cole Palmer’s goalless running stretched in seven games as he failed to find the net despite having seven goal attempts during the game
For the first time in his professional career, Palmer finds himself in a routine. And he doesn’t know how to come out of it yet.
It was not for the desire to try, neither. Palmer had seven blows against Southampton, more than any other player on the field. Nothing was falling enough for him.
The basic Palmer numbers going to this game suggested that the problem was not just lies with it. No player in the championship had created as many chances as he in the 13 matches that preceded this.
However, Tuesday evening match revealed a short player in faith. Easy to forget, being just moments before the first two goals of Chelsea, but Palmer had two glowing chances.
Aaron Ramsdale stopped the first, but half of the goal was being rejected to score Palmer. Then he looked at two minds for shooting and passing when playing on the right.
Palmer has more than enough bank loans to reduce this run. The first diving in an 18 -month -old glow in older football as a regular beginner in which he has barely made a wrong foot.
Cole Palmer is without a goal in seven games
Maresca has little doubt that this moment will soon pass. “All the big players go through bad moments where they try to score,” Chelsea chief said after the game.
“At the moment, Cole struggles to score or fight to do the right thing, but he’s happy. He knows that’s normal.
“It’s lucky because Cole had time in a big club with big players and knows that players go through moments like this. He’s reacting perfectly, he is laughing. He has to enjoy football.”
But the toughest tests stand forward for Chelsea and they will need their star man to find his way out of this hole if they will be serious contenders for the Champions League qualification.
MARESCA: We are in our worst moment but still fourth
Chelsea head Enzo Marasca Speaking at his post -match press conference:
“Very important (win) because we know that from now on every game is important and when we get three points it is even more important.
“We are happy knowing that from now on when we win a game we will be there. If we don’t win we will take away a little.
“How we manage the emotion to the end, but for sure for the performance we are happy.
“We were happy even against Villa because I think the performance was very good, but unfortunately we didn’t win and tonight we are very happy.
“We are in our worst moment in terms of results, but we are fourth a point from the third. That means a lot and also shows how well we were in the first part of the season.
“Now it’s just a matter of trying to end in the best way”
Juric does not worry about his future
Southampton manager Ivan juric Speaking at his post -match press conference:
“I think we did really well in the first 25-30 minutes. We had two big chances with Paul (Onuachu) and we were very competitive with them.
“Then we accepted the goal of the set and the first and third parts in a transition and became really difficult. After the first half it was almost finished because 3-0 against Chelsea is too much but I think the boys They gave everything they gave everything they have at the moment and that’s it.
In the first acceptance despite the bright start: “I’m frustrated by the situation. It’s not easy. It is a really difficult moment for everyone, for players, for the club.
“But it must be energy for the future. All this negative moment to accumulate energy and then try to do better in the future.”
If he worries about his future: “No, everything is possible. It is the club’s decision what they want to do naturally.”
