At St. Mary’s on Wednesday night, Chelsea’s rotating starting lineup defeated Southampton, who were in last position, 5-1.
The Blues’ recent performance shows that they are in a title race, despite coach Enzo Maresca’s assertions to the contrary.
Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, and Jadon Sancho all scored goals to give Maresca’s team a decisive victory.
Despite Chelsea’s superiority, Southampton gave themselves a little reprieve when Joe Aribo cancelled out Disasi’s first goal following an outstanding assist from Kyle Walker-Peters.
But their defensive problems quickly reappeared. Madueke had the opportunity to put up Nkunku for Chelsea’s second goal after fourth-choice goalkeeper Joe Lumley missed a ball.
Before Southampton’s night continued to fall apart, Madueke scored a third goal with a spectacular solo effort.
The Saints lost a man when Captain Jack Stephens was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair needlessly. Chelsea grabbed complete control after that.
Palmer scored Chelsea’s fourth goal after grabbing a rebound, and Sancho finished the blowout with a booming goal late in the game, his first for the team.