Enzo Maresca took a bit of a risk resting players for tonight’s game against Southampton, making 7 changes. But it hasn’t hurt his team at all. They’ve just crumpled Southampton with 3 goals in a dominant first half at St Mary’s.
The first was pretty straightforward – finally Chelsea have a goal from a corner this season. Enzo Fernandez whipped it in, and Axel Disasi was too big and strong for anyone around him, he rose to head it in from close range.
Chelsea then let a sloppy equaliser in, with Enzo Fernandez nutmegged in his own box as the Sains levelled.
But the Blues didn’t let it get them down. Christopher Nkunku jumped on an error from Southampton goalkeeper Joe Lumley to score into an empty net.
Finally Noni Madueke added the best of the three. After nice interplay from Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix, Madueke was there on the right ready to cut inside and finish into the far corner.
You can’t ask for much more than that from a first half. We expect Palmer and a couple of others to be taken off very shortly as Maresca tries to keep everyone as fresh as possible for the game against Tottenham on Sunday.
Barring anything silly, this was a perfect easy midweek 3 points for this team, who are building serious momentum now.
You can see the first goal in the clip embedded here:
Disasi heads in Enzo's corner to make it 1-0. won't score many easier than that. #CFC pic.twitter.com/gbT8OVVDpf
— amadí (@amadoit__) December 4, 2024
[Footage from Sky Sports]
AXEL DISASI GOAL
ENZO FERNANDEZ ASSIST
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) December 4, 2024
[Footage from Canal +]
DISASI SCORES FOR CHELSEA. SILENCING THE HATERS. ANOTHER ENZO ASSIST pic.twitter.com/AaiHkxyWz3
— CfcSheikh (@CfcSheikh) December 4, 2024
[Footage from ViaPlay Sports]
You can see the second goal in the clips embedded here:
"It's yet another self-inflicted wound!"
Chelsea pounce on Southampton's sloppiness at the back and regain the lead! 🔵#PLonPrime #SOUCHE pic.twitter.com/oNpFiK1cuy
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 4, 2024
[Footage from Sky Sports]
“Nkunku can’t do it in the Premier League” 😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/EF8tZAwmHR
— Dean (@DeanCFC_) December 4, 2024
[Footage from Canal Plus]
https://x.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1864397398904053867
[Footage from NBC Sports]
You can see the third goal in the clips embedded here:
Noni Madueke doing what he does best ✨
The England winger cuts in from the right and buries Chelsea's third!#PLonPrime #SOUCHE pic.twitter.com/05ub067Q7u
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 4, 2024
[Footage from Amazon Prime]
MADUEKE WHAT A GOAL! 1-3 💥 pic.twitter.com/y6vWGzOhn2
— Chels HQ (@Chels_HQ) December 4, 2024
[Footage from Canal Plus]
