Chelsea put an end to their recent slump in emphatic fashion with a 4-0 demolition of bottom-placed Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. Enzo Maresca's side delivered a dominant performance to secure their first win in four matches, moving up from seventh to fourth place in the Premier League table.
Christopher Nkunku and Pedro Neto stole the show with a goal and an assist each, while Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella also found the net in what was Chelsea’s most convincing league victory since their 5-1 thrashing of Southampton in December. The result offered some much-needed relief for Maresca, who had come under growing scrutiny following three consecutive defeats.
Despite protests from frustrated fans before the game, Chelsea's performance suggested that Maresca’s project remains on track, though tougher tests await. Meanwhile, Southampton’s misery deepened as they suffered yet another heavy defeat, leaving them stranded at the bottom of the table with just nine points from 27 matches.
Chelsea Respond to Pressure with Convincing Display.
Maresca faced significant pressure heading into this fixture. The Italian manager had overseen back-to-back losses to Brighton in both the FA Cup and the Premier League before a limp 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa at the weekend. The poor run of form had led to vocal unrest among Chelsea supporters, with over a hundred fans gathering outside Stamford Bridge before kickoff to protest against Todd Boehly’s ownership group.
Chants of "We want our Chelsea back" echoed around the stadium as discontent continued to grow. Yet, on the pitch, Maresca’s team delivered a commanding performance that briefly silenced the critics.
Chelsea started on the front foot, with Cole Palmer—struggling for form in recent weeks—missing two early chances. However, the breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Nkunku found the net with a close-range header, setting the tone for a dominant evening.
Southampton offered brief resistance, with Paul Onuachu forcing a save from Filip Jorgensen, but their fragile defense was soon exposed again. Twelve minutes after Nkunku's opener, the Frenchman turned provider, playing in Neto, who rifled a powerful shot into the net to double Chelsea’s advantage.
Colwill then made it 3-0 just before the break, heading in from a deep Neto free-kick. With the contest effectively over, Chelsea controlled proceedings in the second half before Cucurella added a late fourth, finishing off a cross from 19-year-old substitute Tyrique George.
Chelsea’s Supporting Cast Deliver.
One of the key takeaways from the game was the performance of Chelsea’s supporting cast. With Cole Palmer enduring a goal drought—his seventh straight match without a goal involvement—others stepped up to fill the void.
Nkunku was particularly impressive, scoring for the second time against Southampton this season and linking up well with Neto, who registered both a goal and an assist for the first time in his Premier League career.
Chelsea also saw a bright cameo from young George, whose late assist made him the youngest Blues player to register a Premier League assist since Callum Hudson-Odoi did so in October 2019.
While Palmer’s struggles continue to be a concern, the emergence of other attacking threats offers Chelsea encouragement as they push for a Champions League spot.
Maresca’s Belief Vindicated—for Now.
Despite recent criticism, Maresca remained defiant in the buildup to this game, insisting he was "more sure than ever" that Chelsea were heading in the right direction. His team backed up those words with a commanding performance, though questions still remain about their ability to sustain consistency against tougher opponents.
This was only Chelsea’s third win in their last 11 league matches, and they remain vulnerable to dropping out of the top four should Manchester City or Newcastle win their respective fixtures on Wednesday. However, the manner of this victory provides a platform for Maresca to build upon.
His tactical setup worked well, with Chelsea dominating possession, creating numerous chances, and defending solidly against a Southampton side that looked devoid of ideas.
Southampton’s Dire Straits Continue.
For Southampton, this defeat merely added to what has been a disastrous campaign. Having earned promotion last season, they have failed to adjust to the demands of the top flight, suffering 21 defeats in 27 games and conceding 11 goals in their last three matches alone.
Manager Ivan Juric did not mince words in his assessment of Southampton’s season, branding it a "disaster." The Saints’ defensive frailties were again on display, and with only nine points on the board, relegation is looking inevitable.
Against Chelsea, Southampton failed to muster any serious attacking threat in the second half, and their lack of belief was evident. With just 11 games remaining, they appear destined for a swift return to the Championship unless a miracle turnaround occurs.
Looking Ahead.
Chelsea will look to build on this momentum when they face tougher opposition in the coming weeks. Their top-four status is far from secure, with Manchester City and Newcastle breathing down their necks. Maintaining consistency will be key if they are to secure Champions League football for the first time since 2022.
For Southampton, the focus must be on restoring some pride and trying to salvage what remains of their season. With their current form, however, survival seems highly unlikely.
