Chelsea secured a much-needed win as they bounced back from a three-game losing run by thrashing Southampton 4-0 at Stamford Bridge to go fourth in the Premier League.

Three first-half goals in 21 minutes from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill put Stamford Bridge at ease after a nervous start on a night when a small group of fans protested the club's ownership before the game.

Chelsea never looked back after that with Marc Cucurella adding a fourth goal, set up by academy graduate Tyrique George off the bench, on a near-perfect night for Enzo Maresca as results went for his team elsewhere in the race for the Champions League.

Not only do his side now move into fourth, with fifth currently enough for Champions League qualification, but two of their rivals, Bournemouth and Aston Villa were also beaten on Tuesday night, to give Chelsea an added boost.

Cole Palmer's struggles in front of goal are a lingering concern, however, with Chelsea's talisman now without a goal in seven matches in all competitions and without an assist in 14, after missing two glorious first-half chances. Confidence is seemingly an issue.

For Southampton, the threat of replacing Derby as the worst team in Premier League history looms large with 11 games to go. They require three points to avoid setting a new record for the lowest points tally, which will be a struggle going by this effort.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson was left aghast by them. "I can't believe what l am watching with Southampton. I am flabbergasted that a Premier League team in the best league in the world are this bad," he said on Soccer Special.

Maresca desperately needed this victory, just Chelsea's third in their last 11 league games, otherwise the pressure would have ramped up. But with a week off now and Leicester their next opponents in the league, things are looking up for Chelsea, for now.

Player ratings:

Chelsea: Jorgensen (6), Gusto (7), Tosin (7), Colwill (8), Cucurella (8), Caicedo (7), Fernandez (8), Palmer (7), Sancho (7), Neto (8), Nkunku (8).

Subs: George (7), Dewsbury-Hall (6), Acheampong (6), Amougou (6), Mhueka (N/A).

Southampton: Ramsdale (5), Sugawara (5), Bree (5), Bella-Kotchap (5), Aribo (5), Walker-Peters (5), Fernandes (5), Downes (4), Smallbone (5), Sulemana (5), Onuachu (5).

Subs: Harwood-Bellis (5), Dibling (5), Manning (5), Archer (5), Santos (N/A).

Player of the Match: Marc Cucurella.

Click Here for Official Teamsheet

Teams

Chelsea Jorgensen, Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo (Amougou 83), Enzo (c) (Mheuka 90), Palmer, Nkunku (Acheampong 83), Sancho (George 68), Neto (Dewsbury-Hall 68)
Subs Not Used Sanchez, James, Fofana, Samuels-Smith
Booked Caicedo
Goals Nkunku 24, Neto 36, Colwill 44, Cucurella 78

Southampton Ramsdale; Sugawara (Wellington 89), Bree (Hardwood-Bellis 46), Bella-Kotchap, Walker-Peters (Manning 59); Downes (Archer 83), Smallbone, Fernandes; Aribo, Kamaldeen, Onuachu (Dibling 59)
Subs Not Used McCarthy, Stephens, Wood, Grønnbæk
Booked Onuachu, Manning
Goals

Attendance 39,485

Referee Tom Bramall

VAR Craig Pawson