James Ward-Prowse’s brilliant free kick in first-half stoppage time gave Southampton a huge 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
The relegation-threatened Saints who are at the foot of the Premier League table secured the win after having lost three consecutive league games.
Interim manager makes perfect start
This was also interim manager Ruben Selles’ first game in charge after the club had fired Nathan Jones last week following a miserable run of form.
The result however comes as a huge blow for Chelsea in their aspirations for a Champions League berth.
The Blues have just won 2 of their last 14 games across all competitions. Graham Potter’s side are in crisis despite the huge spending in the January transfer window.
Despite dominating the first half and making changes at the break, the hosts looked disjointed, hardly playing as a team and never hitting their strides over the course of the game.
The away side took the lead minutes before the first-half whistle as Ward Prowse’s trademark free kick beat Chelsea custodian Kepa Arizzabalaga at the near post.
Raheem Sterling, who came on as a first-half substitute was guilty of missing three glorious chances to level the game, but each time the Englishman was denied by last-ditch Southampton defending.
First Ainsley Maitland-Niles blocked Sterling’s goal-bound effort in the 68th minute and 3 minutes later Romeo Lavia diverted the winger’s effort off the line.
Kai Havertz and Mykhailo Mudryk came on the bench but Chelsea failed to score showing how dearly they are missing a recognized striker in their squad.
Southampton could have wrapped up the game in the 73rd minute but Stuart Armstrong’s close range was well blocked by Kepa to spare Chelsea the blushes in front of their home faithful.
Cesar Azpilizueta had to be stretchered off with six minutes remaining after suffering a nasty head injury.
Despite 12 minutes of injury time Potter’s side failed to restore parity as Southampton held on for an unlikely win to give themselves a shot in the arm in the relegation battle.
Chelsea meanwhile are tenth with 31 points from 23 games, 10 adrift of Newcastle United in fourth.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Colorsport
