Chelsea 0-1 Southampton: Player ratings as managerless Saints stun Stamford Bridge
By Tom Gott
Chelsea's misery under Graham Potter reached a new low as they were stunned 1-0 by managerless Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues made a handful of changes after their midweek exploits but looked well off the pace against an inspired Southampton side who were fired to victory by a typically excellent James Ward-Prowse free-kick.
It was a nervy start for Chelsea as a mistake from Benoit Badiashile sent Kamaldeen Sulemana through on goal inside the first through minutes, but his one-on-one was saved by Kepa before Kalidou Koulibaly had to clear the rebound off the line.
Southampton remained on top for the opening stages, despite Noni Madueke and David Datro Fofana's attempts at sparking Chelsea's attack, but the first half was overrun by niggling injuries and disruptive fouls which prevented either side from building any momentum.
We did get to see some actual football towards the end of the first half, with Chelsea growing into the game slightly, but Southampton got the goal they deserved as yet another Ward-Prowse free-kick sent the Saints into the interval ahead.
Sterling's introduction at the break shifted the game into Chelsea's hands. His cross was inches away from meeting the head of Mason Mount, before the winger's close-range strike looked destined for goal before it was blocked by Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
With 20 minutes to go, Sterling saw a header cleared off the line by Romain Perraud, with the Saints undoubtedly living dangerously as the clock ticked on.
A nasty head injury to Cesar Azpilicueta prompted a lengthy stoppage in the late stages, after which both sides fought for the next goal. Conor Gallagher got through but was denied by Gavin Bazunu, before Sekou Mara nearly got a sight of Kepa's box.
However, Southampton held on to their lead to ensure they completed the double over Chelsea in 2022/23, with the Blues leaving the pitch to an aggressive chorus of boos.
Chelsea player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6/10 - Helpless for the free-kick but ensured Chelsea weren't behind even earlier.
RB: Cesar Azpilicueta - 5/10 - Generally wasn't that bad but it was his foul which gifted Ward-Prowse the opener. A player of his experience must know not to give perhaps the best free-kick taker in the world such a routine opportunity. Forced off with a really scary head injury after being inadvertedly kicked in the head.
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly - 3/10 - Could have easily been sent off in a chaotic 45-minute performance which saw him dragged around all over the pitch.
CB: Benoit Badiashile - 5/10 - Nearly a fatally slow start but Badiashile recovered somewhat. Steadied the ship after the break.
LB: Ben Chilwell - 6/10 - One of the few players to impress in attack, although he was stuck in a physical fight with Armstrong for the majority of the game.
DM: Enzo Fernandez - 5/10 - Clearly tried to progress the ball but found himself swarmed by Southampton's midfield.
DM: Mateo Kovacic - 3/10 - Looked like a player who has been out injured for weeks. No composure or awareness in the midfield battle.
RM: Noni Madueke - 5/10 - You could tell Madueke was trying to make something happen but he struggled to find the space needed.
AM: Joao Felix - 4/10 - Southampton did an excellent job of forcing Chelsea out wide, limiting Felix's involvement. Some awful corners.
LM: Mason Mount - 2/10 - Apparently Mount was playing.
ST: David Datro Fofana - 5/10 - Chaotic and only sometimes effective. Asked plenty of questions of Southampton's defenders but seemed to confuse himself as well.
Substitutes
Wesley Fofana (46' for Koulibaly) - 6/10 - An encouraging second-half performance.
Raheem Sterling (46' for D. Fofana) - 7/10 - Changed the game for Chelsea.
Kai Havertz (64' for Mount) - 6/10 - Offered some energy in attack.
Mykhailo Mudryk (64' for Madueke) - 3/10 - Another absent performance. There's a real problem here.
Conor Gallagher (84' for Chilwell) - 6/10 - Tried to make something happen but couldn't.
Trevoh Chalobah (84' for Chalobah) - 6/10 - A quiet cameo, which isn't a bad thing for a defender.
Manager
Graham Potter - 3/10 - Bringing Sterling and Fofana on was an excellent move but that was nowhere near enough to excuse everything else Potter got wrong. Chelsea's team selection was poor and their tactics were predictably non-existent. This felt like the kind of result that usually leads to a 'Club Statement'.
Southampton player ratings (4-4-2)
GK: Gavin Bazunu - 7/10 - Really comfortable against whatever Chelsea threw at him.
RB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 6/10 - Noticeably struggled against Chilwell but did redeem himself with a massive block to deny Sterling.
CB: Armel Bella-Kotchap - 7/10 - A little all over the place at times but can't question how effective he was.
CB: Jan Bednarek - 7/10 - Like his partner, rarely looked comfortable but did everything he needed to do.
LB: Romain Perraud - 7/10 - Had a really physical battle with Madueke and usually divided the victories. Saved a certain goal when he blocked Sterling's header.
RM: Stuart Armstrong - 7/10 - So impactful. His energy and physicality were both crucial to Southampton's performance here, although he may have been walking a disciplinary tightrope.
CM: James Ward-Prowse - 8/10 - Was it ever in doubt? His free-kick was excellent and capped off what was a sensational midfield performance.
CM: Romeo Lavia - 7/10 - Psychically, technically dominant. The Belgian ran the show from start to finish.
LM: Mohamed Elyounoussi - 5/10 - Didn't match the performance levels of those around him. Struggled defensively and didn't always get things right in attack.
ST: Kamaldeen Sulemana - 6/10 - Not always involved but everything he did was really dangerous. Gave Chelsea nightmares.
ST: Paul Onuachu - 7/10 - Unsuprisingly a dominant force. Bullied Chelsea's full-backs.
Substitutes
Adam Armstrong (59' for Sulemana) - 6/10 - Continued to ask questions of Chelsea's defence.
Sekou Mara (59' for Onuachu) - 6/10 - Thoroughly unfortunate to connect with Azpilicueta's head when attempting an overhead kick.
Theo Walcott (59' for S. Armstrong) - 6/10 - Caused problems down the right wing.
Ibrahima Diallo (88' for Lavia) - N/A
Carlos Alcaraz (88' for Elyounoussi) - N/A
Lyanco (95' for Maitland-Niles) - N/A
Manager
Ruben Selles - 8/10 - As far as auditions go, this was about as good as it gets. Stopped Chelsea from getting anything going. Questionable substitutions but they were surely physio-enforced, and they didn't even impact Southampton's performance anyway.