Eden Hazard ran the show at St. Mary’s Stadium to ensure that Chelsea moved to the top of the table for the time being as the Blues bagged all three points with a comfortable 3-0 win over Southampton.
Chelsea looked a class apart from their opposition and dominated the game right from the word go. Ross Barkley found Eden Hazard with a perfect through ball and the Belgian obliged with a clinical finish to put the visitors in the ascendancy.
The home team tried to put Chelsea under a bit of pressure in the second half but Ross Barkley found the back of the net from Olivier Giroud’s volley off Willian’s free-kick. The Saints tested Kepa Arrizabalaga with a couple of long-range efforts but it was Alvaro Morata who finally got his name on the scoresheet with a fine finish deep in injury time and capped off a dominant display by the Blues.
Made a couple of fine saves to keep out venomous long-range efforts; a composed display between the sticks.
Another complete performance by the Spaniard- solid at the back and contributed a lot to the build-up play down the left with short passes and intelligent runs.
The German won some good headers inside the penalty area and made some crucial blocks to keep the attackers at bay, not afraid to venture into the other half and looked very tidy with his passing.
Much like his defensive partner did not have too much to do at the back; precise with his passing and set up the attacks from the back with some accurate long balls.
The Spaniard kept things very tight at the back and made overlapping runs occasionally into the other half.
The Frenchman was his usual energetic self in central midfield, broke the play with solid interceptions and carried the ball forward with purpose.
Kept the ball ticking in the midfield with his impressive range of passing and looked composed with his distribution; set up some attacks with some really intelligent passes from deep areas.
The Englishman seems to be growing in confidence with every passing game. Set up Hazard for the opener and scored with a simple tap-in off Giroud’s volley.
The Brazilian provided a lot of energy to the final third and combined very well with Hazard and Giroud.
Chelsea’s creator and finisher of the night. Proved once again why he is an indispensable weapon for the Blues in the final third; created a lot of chances with his passing, dribbling and holding play and scored the opener with a clinical finish past the goalkeeper.
Did not get his name on the scoresheet but have to give him full marks for the high levels of commitment. Played as the perfect target man and linked up effectively with Hazard and Willian. It was his volley across the face of the goal which led to Chelsea’s second.
Did what he usually does; broke up the play and carried the ball forward with energy
Didn’t have much time to have a significant impact but combined well in the final third.
Missed a sitter but made up for it with a neat finish in stoppage time.