Chelsea fans, breathe easy! The Blues had forgotten how to win a football match for weeks, until social media meltdowns led to misery, but they eventually remembered how to win a football match. They destroyed Southampton 4-0 at Stamford Bridge and did so in style. Mark Cucurella took on Marc Cucurella; Levi Colwill added himself and finally Christopher Nkunku and Pedro Neto starred.
It was much needed for Enzo Maresca, who had lost three on the bounce in all competitions. For Southampton? They are currently booking their tickets for next season’s Championship tour, well let’s just say.
Nkunku and Neto Shine as Chelsea Find Their Feet
Many weeks of spending time playing football and forgetting the rules unnaturally led to Chelsea turning up with a game plan of sorts. Tosin flicked the ball across to Christopher Nkunku and he nodded home in the 24th minute.
Frenchman turned provider moments later for Pedro Neto, who finished with a thunderous near-post finish. If this was a preview of Chelsea fans will have to wait for if Nkunku and Neto can do together, then the Chelsea fan might finally have something to cheer about other than their club’s financial reports.
Then, in the first half, Levi Colwill followed by rising like a skyscraper to meet Neto’s free-kick, making it 3-0. In the second half, Marc Cucurella (who usually views the opponent’s box as the bad part of town) sealed a fourth after a slick counterattack.
Attacking Depth Saves the Day
Now, let’s briefly look at Cole Palmer. Generally a golden boy, his first half performance did nothing to dissuade that from being the case. Aaron Ramsdale was called upon to make two good saves, including a great stop from one on one with the goalkeeper. Stamford Bridge had gone from raptuous celebration to gasp. Twitter had their memes ready.
Thankfully for Chelsea, however, they didn’t have to solely rely on Palmer this time. But Neto and Nkunku came up keenly to prove Chelsea’s attack isn’t just one man show. About time, right?
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