Another day, another defeat, it was doomsday once again for Chelsea as they lost to Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
It was a dispirited first half of action for Chelsea as they staggered all their way through it before caving-in to Southampton and a James Ward Prowse free kick which basically defined the course of the first half and the entire game.
Chelsea continued in their cataclysmic run of form dropping another set of three massive points against bottom placed Southampton on their home turf.
The formation of Chelsea and Southampton
Chelsea went into the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation while interim manager of Southampton, Ruben Selles, went with a 3-5-2 pattern.
In the first three minutes of action, Southampton could have drawn first blood as Badiashile made a big blunder at the back with Kalmadeen Suleman stealing the ball and striking it in an instant. However, Kepa Arrizabalaga was on hand to save the blushes of the former Monaco defender.
Koulibaly on the fourth minute then picked up a yellow card for a foul on Nigerian International and Saint forward, Paul Onuachu.
Southampton for largely the first ten minutes of the game, were brighter, hungrier and more diligent than the hosts with the saints seeing more chances than the Blues.
Chelsea were toothless and unenterprising in the first half as they couldn’t trouble Ireland international Gavin Bazunu in goal for the saints.
Chelsea into the closing stages of the first half then took the initiative to Southampton but they didn’t have the cutting edge needed to punish the visitors.
Deep into the first half and in the first minute out of the four added, Englishman and Southampton legend James Ward Prowse struck with a swashbuckling and wonderfully smashed free-kick beating Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal for The Blues.
Graham Potter looked stunned as his side was in danger of losing with the red light beeping. The blues went into the break with an uninspiring performance against the team sitting ten places behind them coming into this fixture.
Former Manchester City winger, Raheem Sterling was introduced into action after the break alongside Wesley Fofana both replacing David Datro Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly respectively.
How the second half panned out!
Second half of action commenced and Chelsea started to seize the initiative but they continued in their profligate manner all match long.
On the fifty-sixth minute Mateo Kovacic teed the ball onto the path of the captain of The Blues Cesar Azpilicueta who took a touch and fired just wide of the left post.
The Saints from the Saint Mary’s then made three substitutions, bringing in Adam Armstrong, Sekou Mara and Theo Walcott, for Kamaldeen Sulemana, Paul Onuachu and Stuart Armstrong respectively.
Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure as the encounter continued but Ruben Selles side locked their defense, took the keys and threw it into the ocean.
Graham Potter’s countenance as the game grew further
Graham Potter continued to be in palpitation as he looked dejected on the sidelines alongside fans of The Blues across the globe who had their hearts in their mouth for the entire duration of the game.
Chelsea brought in more substitutions once again in order to come back into reckoning in the game, Mhykailo Mudryk came on for Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz came on for Mason Mount.
The West London side continued to throw all they had into the kitchen sink with the hopes of securing at least a point against a well charged-up saints.
On the 87th minute, Southampton further made substitutions of their own bringing on Ibrahima Diallo for Romeo Lavia and Carlos Alcaraz for Mohammed Elyounusi.
Twelve massive minutes were added on by the refree and Southampton continue to stand strong and firm blocking everything that came their way.
In additional time of the second half, Joao Felix curled a strike over the Saints wall but Gavin Bazunu watched it all the way and parried it away to safety for his side.
Another disappointing evening for The Blues as they were horrible, shambolic, without life and absolutely horrendous once again losing to the team placed 20th on the Premier League log.
Full Time:
Chelsea 0-1 Southampton
