Southampton Away – View From In Front Of My Screen
View From In Front Of My Screen
So the midweek game sees us up against Southampton who we beat 6-0 last season at St Marys which is normally a happy hunting ground for us.
Chelsea make three changes following Saturday’s 10 men win over Leicester. Dave replaces the ill James, Koulibaly back in after his red card and Ziyech replacing Gallagher following his red card.
Chelsea playing very Jeckyl and Hyde at the moment who will turn up today?
Southampton who were unlucky against United at the weekend will be looking for another high tempo game.
The opening minutes sees the frantic paced back and forth, with Southampton getting the first shot on target gathered by Mendy. Southampton seeing some joy down our left side and get another attack which is cleared. Chants of “Carefree” ring round the ground. The Chelsea fans are in good voice.
The first corner falls to Southampton and it goes out again for another, both well taken by Ward Prowse, but cut out and cleared. A quick break by Sterling who feeds Havertz who sends it back, but its well defended.
Jorginho then sends Sterling away but he just fluffs his shot when in a good position.“Blue Flag Flying” sounds around the ground as Cucurella breaks he finds a blue shirt who sends it into the area but Ziyech hasn’t got his shooting boots on today. A fairly even game so far.
On 20 mins A quick one two and Sterling tries to find Mount but it’s cut out for a corner. Which comes to nothing. 22 mins and a great Chelsea break sees Sterling running clear, but he’s tackled.
23 minutes and Chelsea are ahead, Sterling scores again, from a good break. Mount feeds him, he seems to have lost out, but spins and puts the ball in the net.“Carefree” is ringing out round the ground.
25 mins and Ziyech plays a glorious cross field pass into space but Havertz can’t find the finish.
On 27 minutes another Ward Prowse corner is cleared by Dave, but only as far as the 18year old Lavia, signed from Man City, who fires an unstoppable shot beyond Mendy who got a hand to it, 1-1 and its the “Saints go marching in” that rings around the ground.
32 minutes and Ward-Prowse catches Sterling late.
Another quick break from Southampton but Dave cuts out the danger.
Sterling then loses the ball and Southampton break, but it comes to nothing.
The game is poised on a knife edge. Both teams making quick breaks and mistakes.
37mins and Ziyech goes down after a strong tackle by Armstrong, but Michael Oliver gives nothing and Chelsea put the ball out for treatment and a water break.
The first half coming to an end with a series of misplaced passes and niggly fouls.
2mins extra to be played and Chelsea are cracked open again, Armstrong fires home off Koulibaly after a good break, 2-1 to the Saints.
Adams is lucky not to booked on the stroke of half time even though he kicked the ball into Jorginho’s face after fouling him. Chelsea players surround the ref and are angry. Hopefully they can use this anger in the second half.
Southampton players are winning the ball and playing harder in the tackle, the Blues need to respond.
Half time sees Kovacic replacing Loftus Cheek who was playing well.
The game restarts, Tuchel not looking happy on the sidelines as another Chelsea pass goes awry.
50 minutes sees Loftus coming from the dressing room with some strapping on his knee, more problems for Tuchel and his midfield.
51 mins and Southampton should be 3-1 up, but a great block by Cucurella from a header by Elyounoussi and the the rebound shot is plucked out the sky by Mendy. Southampton still looking the stronger team.
54 mins and a good cross by Curucella is cut out by Bazunu
55 minutes and Sterling appeals for a penalty but referee waves it a away it would have been tough on Southampton if was given.
The Chelsea players getting frustrated. And Steve MacMs whining commentary is getting on my nerves as my stream crashes.
58 minutes and my stream is back up as the goalscorer Lavia goes off injured after some treatment and is replaced by Aribo.
Chelsea fans trying to urge their team on.
62 minutes and another Saints corner, Chelsea are penned back.
Silva clears it with a big header and Ward Prowse pulls back a breaking Ziyech and gets a deserved yellow card.
Chelsea look a bit laboured, could their weekends heroics against Leicester be taking their toll.
65 mins and a ball into the area from Dave sees Havertz head over.
A triple change brings a change to a back 5 as Havertz is replaced by Pulisic, Dave by Broja and Jorginho by Chillwell.
A foul in the centre circle and there is a player down in our box caught by a stray arm from Cucurella. The game is being slowed down, The Blues need to find some pace and urgency.
Che Adams is dominating the Chelsea defence as 72mins sees Perraud replaced by Djenpo.
Another dangerous Saints corner sees Silva clear the ball off the line with a calm flick of the boot from a Salisu header, Chelsea living dangerously.
15minutes to go.
Chelsea seem to have no rhythm and seem a bit lost. They need a bit of magic from somewhere/someone.
80minutes “Come on Chelsea” is the chant from the stands.
2 quick attacks by Chelsea bring a corner, and once again our set piece comes to nothing. Southampton are dropping deeper.
The Saints fans have found their voices
84 mins and Mount finds Sterling who looks up and sees only white shirts and puts a tame cross into the goalies hands.
85mins and Armstrong is subbed by Lyanco.
87mins and Chelsea are trying to find an opening but the Saints defense are holding firm.
88mins and a needless foul on Cucerella get us a free-kick, but it’s wasted.
5 minutes of extra time.
94 minutes and Tuchel waves Mendy up for a corner, but another disappointing delivery and its cleared.
Full time and St Marys erupts as they beat the Blues for the 1st time since 2013.
Che Adams is my MOTM for his tenacity and tormenting the Chelsea back 4
Not sure about Havertz as a false No 9, 5 games no goals no assists.
KTBFFH
Jack Russell
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