Ross
Barkley played a starring role as Chelsea kept up their exciting start to
the Premier League season with a 3-0 win over Southampton on Super Sunday.
Barkley, who was recalled to the England squad in midweek, was handed his
third start of the season and set up Eden Hazard for the opener (30) before
scoring himself from close range (57) - his first goal for the club.
Alvaro Morata made it 3-0 (90+2) as Southampton struggled to make the most
of some clear openings, including a jaw-dropping miss from Danny Ings from
three yards out.
The victory keeps Chelsea unbeaten and moves them to the top of the Premier
League - ahead of Liverpool's clash against Manchester City.
Southampton have now taken just 15 points from their last 20 league games,
which is the lowest amount of any team in the Premier League.
Player Ratings
Southampton: McCarthy (6), Cedric (6), Yoshida (6),
Bednarek (6), Hoedt (6), Bertrand (6), Redmond (6), Hojbjerg (7), Lemina
(5), Gabbiadini (6), Ings (5).
Subs: Romeu (6), Long (5)
Chelsea: Kepa (7), Alonso (7), Azpilicueta (7), Luiz (8),
Rudiger (7), Kante (6), Jorginho (7), Barkley (8), Willian (7), Hazard (8),
Giroud (7)
Subs: Pedro (6), Morata (7)
Man of the match: Ross Barkley
Southampton started like a team with only one win in their last 14 home
games as Chelsea's possession stats read 85 per cent after 20 minutes.
But it was the hosts that should have struck first when Ings somehow fired
over from inside the six-yard box after some great play down the left by
Ryan Bertrand.
Olivier Giroud had a strong penalty shout turned down after being caught
late by Wesley Hoedt but they surged ahead minutes later.
Team news
Mark Hughes makes three changes from the 2-0 defeat at Wolves. Maya Yoshida,
Jan Bednarek and Manolo Gabbiadini came in as Southampton switched to three
at the back. Ross Barkley started in place of Mateo Kovacic for Chelsea.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was robbed in possession by Barkley and he played
through a perfect ball for Hazard, who smashed a shot past Alex McCarthy.
Southampton switched to a 4-4-2 after the break and grabbed the initiative
but Bertrand volleyed over at the back post when well positioned.
Chelsea, always a threat with Hazard, doubled the advantage on 57 minutes.
Willian sent in a free-kick that was acrobatically hooked across goal by
Giroud and Barkley was quicker to the loose ball than the Southampton
defenders.
Nathan Redmond crashed a long-range effort off the bar, but it was Chelsea
to get the third goal when Morata, who had missed a glorious chance minutes
earlier, skilfully finished off a flowing move instigated by Hazard in
injury time.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won their last six Premier League games against Southampton,
since losing 3-1 under Jose Mourinho in October 2015.
This was the ninth home Premier League game since the start of last season
that Southampton have failed to score in - only Huddersfield (12) have
failed to score in more home Premier League games in that time.
Hazard has been involved in 11 goals in 15 appearances against Southampton
for Chelsea in all competitions (6 goals, 5 assists).
scored and assisted in a Premier League game for the first time since
October 2016 - which was also at St. Mary's against Southampton.
In the last three seasons, Southampton have taken just seven points from
their 26 Premier League games against 'big six' opposition (P26 W0 D7 L19).
Man of the match: Ross Barkley
Hard pushed by Hazard for the outstanding player award, Barkley became the
first Englishman to score and assist in a Premier League game for Chelsea
since Frank Lampard in December 2013. Producing those game-changing moments
has always been an area of criticism aimed at Barkley but he was cool when
it mattered on the south coast. Plus, his contribution in midfield with the
ball was impressive, boasting a successful pass rate of 94 per cent. Gareth
Southgate will have been beaming.
What's next?
After the international break, Chelsea host Manchester United, live on Sky
Sports Premier League, while Southampton travel to Bournemouth.
Teams
Southampton McCarthy, Bednarek (Romeu 46), Hoedt, Yashida,
Soares, Hojbjerg, Lemina, Bertrand (c), Ings, Gabbiadini (Long 78), Redmond
Subs Not Used Gunn, Vestergaard, Davis, Austin, Targett
Booked .Bertrand, Lemina, Soares, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Ings
Goals .
Chelsea Kepa, Azpilicueta (c), Luiz, Rudiger, Alonso,
Jorginho, Barkley (Kovacic 81), Kante, Hazard, Willian (Pedro 75), Giroud
(Morata 68)
Subs Not Used Caballero, Zappacosta, Fabregas, Cahill
Booked
Goals Hazard 30, Barkley 57, Morata 90+3
Attendance 27,077
Referee Craig Pawson
top