Chelsea’s slide down the Premier League table continues as Jose Mourinho’s team were outclassed in a 3-1 defeat to Southampton at Stamford Bridge last night.
After taking an early advantage the reigning champions quickly grew sluggish on the field and were overrun by Ronald Koeman’s confident Saints.
A spectacular 20-yard free-kick from Willian in the 10th minute that deflected into the net off the far post was just what the home faithful required, bursting into delirium as their team started with some solid intent when moving forward. Yet the visitors were hardly rattled and would equalise just before half-time, a Jose Fonte diagonal long-ball picking out Graziano Pelle, whose creative chest control set up a thunderous volley from Steven Davis from the top of the 18-yard area.
The wind was gone from the blue sails as the second-half began, while conversely their opposition were ready to up the tempo. With the attacking momentum on their side it did not take long after the restart for Southampton to take control, Gary Cahill’s loose turnover leading to a through ball into the box which was coolly finished by Sadio Mane.
Despite the introductions of Pedro and Loic Remy, Chelsea never looked like finding a way back after going behind and the result sealed with a razor sharp counter-attack through Mane, turning provider for Pelle who finished beautifully into the bottom corner.
Formations
Mourinho continues to tinker with his Chelsea setup in search of the spark that will finally get their campaign rolling. There were three changes to the side that made a miraculous comeback against Newcastle the week prior, with captain John Terry returning to the centre of defence and Willian taking the place of Pedro on the wing. Ramires started in the holding-midfield role instead of Nemanja Matic, the two switched at halftime, however, due to a combination of the scoreline and a sub-par performance, the Serbian was taken back off the field after just 30 minutes.
There was not much in the way of forced changes to Ronald Koeman’s lineup either, with only one difference for this match from last weekend’s commanding victory over Swansea. Oriol Romeu began in place of James Ward-Prowse ahead of the back four, yet similarly to the opposition, they too were changed at the break. Both sides took to the field in 4-2-3-1 formations.
Ivanovic continues to frustrate
Throughout this poor run the ‘Special One’ has repeatedly stated that there is no player in his squad who’s spot is untouchable, but week-after-week so far arguably his worst performer, Branislav Ivanovic, continues to appear among the starting lineup. Horrifically out of from compared to his exploits last season, Ivanovic has become the favoured target for opposition sides who have had little challenge breaking into the box on the right-hand side. Against the Saints he was again made to look amateur, terrorised and ultimately turned inside-out by Dusan Tadic. He recorded just two interceptions and clearances, while failing in 75% of his tackling attempts. Though this was hardly any better than the showings from his defensive cohorts Cahill and Terry. The line was frequently out of position and could not find the legs to pressure the ball when Southampton was on attack.
Patience around Stamford Bridge is wearing thin as key players continue to provide weak efforts, Ivanovic especially. As criticism from fans hits new volume, Mourinho may have to consider looking toward the likes of Reuben Loftus-Cheek or Baba Rahman to plug the porous defence.
Two shining Saints overwhelm the champions
It looked as though on paper that Koeman’s side possessed all of the weapons needed to exploit Chelsea’s current weaknesses and it was from the wings that Southampton controlled the proceedings in South London. Particularly on the right-flank, Tadic had free-reign as he strolled past fellow countryman Ivanovic and into the 18-yard box numerous times. The Serbian created three key chances and sent in three crosses from this area, while also being able to cut back into the centre of the pitch with minimal resistance.
On the opposite side, Sadio Mane was the attacking spark for the visiting side, his creativity and speed far beyond anything that Terry or Cahill could cope with at the moment. The Senegalese left Stamford Bridge with a goal and an assist to his name, also generating three other opportunities to score and completing three take-ons. The wide pair were heavily involved in two of the Saints’ goals, providing too much quality where the reigning champions where least equipped to stop it.
Chelsea conclusion
Another poor performance highlighted the same problems among the teams that observers have been seeing for numerous weeks, yet little is changed in terms of tactics or personnel in the Chelsea setup. Terry’s return to the side was a long way short of inspiring as a captain and this time there seemed to be little conviction to find a way back after falling behind. Probably the most convincing of Jose Mourinho’s few home defeats while in charge marks the fourth of the season, eclipsing the total number of losses for the entirety of 2014-15 and the title-holders are now 10 points of first place. Something will need to happen over the coming international break to spark the side before hosting Aston Villa in a fortnight.
Chelsea have now conceded 2+ goals in 8 of their last 10 Premier League games. Something’s not right at the back. pic.twitter.com/ts4Rd7PbJu
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 3, 2015
Southampton conclusion
After a stuttering opening campaign, back-to-back wins with six goals scored is more like Southampton that football lovers came to know last season. In scintillating form, Mane is providing first-class service for his teammates and has scored twice in two matches, while new arrival Virgil van Dijk has tightened the backline. Hitting their full-stride, the Saints now sit ninth on the table and there is no doubt that their next match with Leicester City will be a must watch.
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