Tammy Abraham was on the score-sheet for Chelsea once again as the Blues beat Southampton 4-1 at the Saint Mary’s stadium to equal Manchester United record in the Premier League.
Frank Lampard led side joined United and Tottenham Hotspur as the third Premier League side to score 3+ first half goals in consecutive away games in the competition.
3+ – Chelsea have become just the third Premier League side to score 3+ first half goals in consecutive away games in the competition after Manchester United in 1993/94 and Tottenham Hotspur in 2018/19. Plentiful. #SOUCHE pic.twitter.com/YA6q1umRLg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 6, 2019
Southampton made two changes to their side from their defeat to Tottenham. Long and Valery came into the fold for the Saints to replace Vestergaard and Boufal, which sees a change in shape. Long and Ings led the line, with a four-man midfield of Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Hojbjerg and Redmond while Frank Lampard made one change to the side that beat Lille during the week in the UEFA Champions League. Hudson-Odoi came into the fold to replace James, joining Mount and Willian in a three-man supporting unit of Abraham in the final third.
Chelsea started the game on a bright note and got a well deserved goal very early in the game courtesy of a spectacular strike from Tammy Abraham. A simple ball over the top from Hudson-Odoi released the England forward. Gunn rushes off his line to try to get there ahead of Abraham. However, he hooks it towards the target and it travels over the line despite the best efforts of Yoshida covering back. The goal was given by the technology on the wrist of referee Paul Tierney.
Seven minutes later the Blues doubled the lead with Mason Mount getting on the scoresheet. Chelsea capitalised on a defensive error from Bednarek as Mount smashes the ball home. The Southampton defender tries to send a deft header out from the back. Willian pounced on the loose ball and combined with Hudson-Odoi who released Mount into the box. The midfielder hold his composure to blast his strike past Gunn from six yards.
The Saints reduced the two-goal deficit after 30 minutes of play. Valery opened up the Chelsea defence down the right flank, weaving his way through four players. He fires a low ball across the face of goal where Ings gets ahead of Zouma to divert his strike past Kepa.
The game looked like it was going to end 2-1 on the break but Lampard’s men restored their two-goal advantage as Kante’s strike was deflected past Gunn by Bednarek. Alonso has the freedom of the left flank and he raids forward. He cuts his pass back to Kante on the edge of the box. He lines up a strike on his right foot that hits Bednarek and wrong foots Gunn to find the right side of the net.
Chelsea finished the first 45 minutes as the better side and it reflected in the result. The Blues also began the second period of the game just like they ended the first by getting a good chance very early but they were denied by Gunn. Willian released the Hudson-Odoi into space down the left flank and he cuts inside to shoot low towards the right bottom corner. However, Gunn sticks out a leg and diverts it wide of the target.
Second half substitute, Michy Batshuayi finally capped it off for the Blues in the 89th minute. He combined with Pulisic in the final third as the American releases his run with a fine pass with the outside of his boot. Batshuayi holds his composure to drill his strike through the legs of Gunn into the net.
Pulisic Assist, Mitchy Batshuayi goal Chelsea vs Southampton 4-1 #SOUCHEpic.twitter.com/3jyaLiKNDc
— #UCL (@ZWODDE_) October 6, 2019
Chelsea will face Newcastle United at the Stamford Bridge after the international break while Southampton will lock horns with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux stadium.
LINE-UPS
SOUTHAMPTON (4-4-2): Angus Gunn, Yan Valery, Jan Bednarek, Maya Yoshida, Ryan Bertrand; James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Nathan Redmond; Danny Ings, Shane Long.
SOUTHAMPTON BENCH: Alex McCarthy, Jack Stephens, Che Adams, Stuart Armstrong, Sofiane Boufal, Michael Obafemi, Kevin Danso.
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, Marcos Alonso; N’Golo Kante, Jorginho; Willian, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi; Tammy Abraham.
CHELSEA SUBS: Andreas Christensen, Ross Barkley, Willy Caballero, Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Michy Batshuayi, Reece James.