Chelsea hit rock bottom

The games are over, the days are passing, Chelsea still winless and time is running out for Graham Potter. A victory in nine games in 2023 is too poor a baggage for a team whose aspirations are set in the European positions. An objective that is utopian if the Blues they are unable to even beat the bottom team in the Premier League. A great goal from James Ward-Prowse from a free kick, another one in the English private account, who only has one left to match David Beckham, was enough for Rubén Sellés’ Southampton to take the three points from Stamford Bridge. When the locals got closer to the equalizing goal thanks to Raheem Sterling leaving the pitch, the shock caused by the kick that César Azpilicueta received in the face froze the stadium and the game itself. The international had to leave the game on a stretcher. fourth consecutive game of the Blues without knowing the triumph and first victory of Rubén Sellés’ Southampton. When the day ends, the Champions League places could be more than 10 points away.

The Ward–Prowse putt

The emotional minute of applause in memory of the former soccer player of the local team Christian Atsu, who died in the earthquake in Turkey, preceded a first section of the game marked by a very high rhythm. To the first two dangerous approaches by Southampton, Kepa Arrizabalaga being forced to providentially intervene in the first after an error by Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke responded with a ride and subsequent shot that crashed into the side of the net. Much back and forth, until Rubén Sellés’s pupils said enough was enough. The Spaniard served as interim coach of the Saints at Stamford Bridge. Knowing that the bottom club in the Premier League had little chance against Chelsea in an open grave, Southampton opted for plan B: interruptions. The losses of time became the protagonists of the first half and ended up lowering the heart rate of the game. Without the version of João Félix seen in the last matches of the Blues In the league competition, Graham Potter’s men had a hard time generating in attack.

Then James Ward-Prowse came along. Chelsea made the mistake of fouling just as the fourth official showed the stoppage time sign. The visiting stands, which chanted his name, already knew what was coming. And it is that a foul on the edge of the area is for the Southampton captain almost like a penalty for any good striker, and he did not miss the opportunity. The ‘8′ of the Saints scored at Stamford Bridge his 17th goal from a direct free kick at Stamford Bridge but further aggravate Chelsea’s results crisis. An impossible launch to fit that gave the three points to the last place in the Premier League with 45 minutes to go.

Entrusted to Sterling

Graham Potter tried to change the dynamics of the match by bringing on both Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana at half-time, and it was precisely the English winger who lifted the local fans from their seats for the first time. A cross that Mason Mount was about to finish off and a shot from the front that ended in a corner kick, and the Blues They had managed to get fully involved in the match thanks to the former Manchester City footballer. The equalizing goal seemed closer, but they were no more than illusions. As happened during the first 45 minutes, the souffle of Chelsea deflated. The chances, approaches and sense of danger plummeted and Rubén Sellés’s pupils felt more and more comfortable wrapped up and locked up behind.

No matter how hard he tried, Chelsea had forgotten to score. Under the sticks the visiting defender took out Raheem Sterling’s header. The English lacked millimeters to complete their revolution. Minutes after Kepa Arrizabalaga prevented the 0-2, and when Chelsea was arriving more and better over the goal of Gavin Bazunu, César Azpilicueta gave the scare of the match. The visiting striker Sékou Mara kicked the head of the Spanish defender trying to finish the ball and he fell unconscious on the ground. The game was stopped for more than 10 minutes while the medical services treated the Spanish international, who seemed to regain consciousness and left the pitch on a stretcher. Until the 102nd minute the match would go away once the referee added 12 minutes due to the intervention of the medical services, but not even with almost a quarter of an hour more could Chelsea score a goal. The three points were flying straight to St. Mary’s Stadium.