Chelsea put a run of three straight defeats behind them with a 4-0 thrashing of Southampton.
Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella ensured Enzo Maresca’s side took what always looked an ideal opportunity to return to winning ways.
The result moves the Blues back into the Premier League’s top-four, at least until Newcastle and Manchester City play later this week.
Here’s how Maresca’s side rated at Stamford Bridge...
Filip Jorgensen 6
Had crowd on his back from early stages with unconvincing distribution. Made one good save from Onuachu, though was fortunate rebound landed safely. Clean sheet hugely welcome.
Malo Gusto 6
Much less adventurous than at Aston Villa but covered his centre-back well.
Tosin Adarabioyo 7
Powerful in meeting Fernandez corner to set up Nkunku goal and handled the physical threat of Onuachu well.
Levi Colwill 8
Effectively settled the contest with third before half-time, his first goal in almost two years.
Marc Cucurella 8
Won the ball high up the pitch to start move for Neto goal, then added one of his own late on.
Moises Caicedo 6
A straightforward night at the base of midfield. Booked.
Enzo Fernandez 8
Made two fine chances for Palmer with clever passes and drove his team on even in nervy first-half moments.
Jadon Sancho 7
A rare start on the right wing and grew into the game after quiet start. Another who would have had an early assist were Palmer in better finishing form.
Simply cannot buy a goal at the moment. Missed at least four good chances, at yet remains so involved in so much of Chelsea’s good play.
Christopher Nkunku 8
First league goal since the reverse fixture with a brave back post header, then added a first assist since the same game with pass for Neto.
Pedro Neto 8 | Star man
Started centrally again and delivered a fine display, running channels, holding the ball up and then taking his goal superbly. Nice free-kick delivery for Colwill header, too.
Substitutes
Tyrique George (Neto 68’) 7
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Sancho 68’) 6
Mathis Amougou (Caicedo 83’) N/A
Josh Acheampong (Nkunku 83’) N/A
Sumatra Mheuka (Fernandez 89’) N/A
Unused: Sanchez, Fofana, James, Samuels-Smith.
