Chelsea player ratings: Willian shines while Tomori is shaky as Blues romp to win at Southampton
CHELSEA thrashed Southampton 4-1 in comfortable fashion at St Mary’s as the Blues move to fifth with the win.
First-half goals from Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante saw the Blues take a comfortable lead into the break despite Danny Ings’ goal back when it was 2-0.
But the second-half was a much tamer affair and Michy Batshuayi’s late goal was the only exciting moment as the Belgian wrapped up the points.
And here’s how William Pugh thought the Blues fared on the south coast on Sunday afternoon.
Kepa – 5
Didn’t have loads to do. Probably could have done better for Ings’ goal but that may be a little harsh.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Very standard and straight-forward performance. Earned his salary this week.
Kurt Zouma – 5
Caught flat footed for Southampton’s opener and really should have done better. Not particularly busy for the remainder.
Fikayo Tomori – 5
Couldn’t shut down Valery for Saints’ opener and was then done by some neat footwork by the right-back soonafter. Some sloppy passing in the second-half made him look shaky on what should have been an easy afternoon.
Marcos Alonso – 6
Did what he had to do. Some pressing runs in the second-half created some half-chances for his side.
Jorginho – 6
Booked for rash challenge in first-half. Walked a tight-line for rest of game considering the booking. Involved in one-two with Willian for opening goal. Overall solid.
N’Golo Kante – 7
Did exactly what he does best and even popped up with a goal. Huge deflection helped it in but they all count.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 7 (subbed off, 79 mins)
Lovely assist for Abraham’s opener. Worried Valery for most of the game. Solid return to Prem action.
Mason Mount – 7 (subbed off, 79 mins)
Took his opening goal very well but really should have done better just moments later to make it 3-0. Another very mature performance.
Willian – 8
Heavily involved in opening goal with a lovely one-two with Jorginho before feeding Mount. Played fantastically well on both sides of the ball and worried Saints’ defenders all afternoon.
Tammy Abraham – 7 (subbed off, 84 mins)
Early strike could have been better but took his goal well. Kept pushing all afternoon and ran the channels well to open up space for the midfielders.
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Mateo Kovacic – 5 (on for Mount)
Helped see the game out when he came on.
Christian Pulisic – 7 (on for Hudson-Odoi)
Had an immediate impact with some tidy feet before sliding the ball through for Batshuayi to make the points safe.
Michy Batshuayi – 7 (on for Abraham)
The perfect cameo. Played in by Pulisic to score his first Premier League goal for Chelsea since October 2017.