Chelsea without reply against Southampton – Premier League – J24 – Chelsea-Southampton (0-1)

Chelsea 0-1 Southampton

But : Ward-Prowse (45^e+1) for Saints

James Ward-Prowse, le nouveau Siniša Mihajlović?

Stealed by Dortmund in the middle of the week, Chelsea continued their unremarkable season internally (tenth place), after their loss at Bridge against the red lantern, Southampton (0-1). The first period is moreover rather dominated by the Saints, even if the rhythm of the meeting quickly fell, and the game was mainly concentrated in midfield. Kepa’s right arm is in the right place to divert a ball exploited by Kamaldeen Sulemana, behind Benoît Badiashile (3^e). Paul Onuachu’s header misses the target (10^e), and Chelsea only rebels through Noni Madueke, but Gavin Bazunu is vigilant on the ground on his shot from the right (13^e). Finally, James Ward-Prowse rolls up an axial free kick from 20 meters out of Kepa’s reach. (0-1, 45^e+1).

The offensive spectacle is not there despite a more intense first quarter of an hour. THE Blues Although they take possession of the leather in an almost dictatorial way after the break (85% possession between the resumption and the hour of play), they take time to do something with it. Raheem Sterling can also tear his hair out, since he sees, three times in a row in less than five minutes, the defenders of the Saints avoid equalizing on his attempts. First, Ashley Maitland-Niles blocks her shot from the right at the penalty spot (68^e), before colliding with Romain Perraud, then Roméo Lavia, present on the rebound on the same action, initiated by Kai Havertz (71^e). Despite 12 minutes of added time, following César Azpilicueta’s head injury, Chelsea remain silent for the second time this week.

All that remains is to recruit Neymar and a poker table.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) : Kepa – Azpilicueta (Chalobah, 84).^e), Koulibaly (W. Fofana,^e), Badiashile, Chilwell (Gallagher, 84^e) – Kovačić, Enzo – Madueke (Mudryk, 64^e), J. Félix, Mount (Havertz, 64^e) – D. Fofana (Sterling, 46^e). Coach : Graham Potter.

Southampton (4-4-2) : Bazunu – Maitland-Niles (Lyanco, 90^e+5), Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Perraud – S. Armstrong (Walcott, 59^e), Ward-Prowse, Lavia (I. Diallo, 87^e), M. Elyounoussi (Alcaraz, 88^e) – Sulemana (A. Armstrong, 59^e), Onuachu (Mara, 59^e). Coach : Rubén Sellés.