Chelsea Match Review I Chelsea vs Southampton I Premier League I 3/1/2019

Chelsea Match Review

Chelsea vs Southampton I Premier League I 3/1/2019

Picture from Highlights Football

Match Overview

What a game it was at the Bridge as our boys utterly dominated Southampton from the kick-off. As expected, Chelsea had the large share of possession but that is not to undermine the rather unexpected gutsy and commendable efforts by Southampton to hit on the counter and attack. We were very unlucky, of course, as we failed to score in the game despite some really good football and performances from back to front and we did deserve to go in front. We even had a goal wrongly flagged offside. But in the end, it was a disappointing 90 mins with the match ending 0-0 and Chelsea losing points in the fight for the Top 4 position against relegation-threatened Saints team.

Chelsea came into this match with a spate of injuries, coming into the busy January period with a game every 3 days. As our forwards Giroud, Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi were injured with varying degrees of chance of recovery, Morata got to start the game and tonight he did show how good he was or should have been. Fabregas and (forgotten) Drinkwater too was injured although Loftus-Cheek seemed to have recovered to make the line-up (and replace Willian who got injured :0).

Match Highlight

Chelsea played in Sarri’s favoured 4-3-3 with his favoured starting line-up all season. In the first half, Hazard came close to scoring when put through on goal and shot straight at Gunn who had an excellent match between the Saints posts. Morata had a couple of decent chances denied by Gunn too. Chelsea was at the front foot front the start, coming close to scoring and maintaining the characteristic high line. Willian came off injured, which lengthens Chelsea’s forward injury list, for Loftus-Cheek. In the end, we enter the first half break feeling like we should have been 2 goals up at least.

In the second half, we continued where we left off, attacking and trying to open up the Saints defence. With the introduction of Fabregas, for Barkley which was quite a surprise as we often thought of him as a Jorginho like-for-like replacement, Chelsea hit another gear. In fact, one of his first few touches led to Morata scoring, albeit deemed wrongly offside, which calls into question the need for VAR in the EPL. As the minutes ticked down, Chelsea grew more desperate and increased their frequency of shots, Alonso came close twice, shooting from range, only for Gunn to easily deal with it.  The match ended 0-0 in a match which I felt we played one of our best football in the past few matches.

Man Of The Match

I think, incredibly, Alvaro Morata deserves the Man-of-the-Match award for this game. His overall game play was fantastic. He was very involved in the build up and also contributed defensively. His desire to score was very apparent and he also managed to show off some flicks and tricks. He did score, and perhaps if it was not wrongly flagged offside, he would be the clear MOTM.

Player Ratings

-          Goalkeeper

Kepa Arizzabalaga, 7

Largely undisturbed by the Southampton’s attack. I think he only had to make one save all game, in the second half. But he is an assured presence at the back as always and him trying to build up play quickly to encourage his team to attack is a welcome sight.

-          Defenders

Cesar Azpilicueta,7

Reliable as always. Didn’t put a foot wrong and was quite involved in the attack. Might have gotten an assist from his trademark Dave-Morata combination in the first half.

Toni Rudiger, 7

Solid as always. It is no wonder that he has become one of Chelsea’s main 2 CBs. He is quick, has decent passing range and he is a tough fighter. 

David Luiz, 8

A few matches has gone and David Luiz has come to the fore as a really great and decent CB. His long range passing is as great and spectacular as ever and at the back he is a tough defender to fare up against.

Marcos Alonso, 7

I still have my reservations against Alonso. Although he had a good match today, I see that in the long run, he is not the perfect LB we need. Offensively he is good, often wanting to link up play with the attackers so very much. He also has quite a good scoring boot with some fans deeming him capable of playing as a striker. But he isn’t really good with the ball at his feet nor defensively nous…

-          Midfielders

Ngolo Kante, 7

Had a good match as always. Always playing that one two with the forwards and a vital cog in linking up play, If Yoshida hadn’t slide in on him near the end of the game, he might have a clear shot at goal.

Jorginho, 6

A little underutilised in this match as Southampton packed the midfield in an attempt to stifle Chelsea’s gameplay. But the forwards cutting in more than made up for this. Not really his fault that he couldn’t stem his trademark authority on this game.

Ross Barkley, 6

Not his greatest match although he was decent in our build up play. Overall decent, lost some opportunities but gained some. Fabregas actually fared better when he came on in his position. But we can foresee that he is a quality and good player.

-          Forwards

Willian, 7

Great start in the first half. He was absolutely devastating. Southampton packed the midfield but Willian continuously drifted in and dribbled through the Southampton’s defences. A pity that he had to come off really early.

Alvaro Morata, 9

Great overall performance. Gone is the usual pouting striker who goes down easily and seem disinterested in his gameplay. This is a really energised and awesome performance from him. MOTM in my opinion and really should have gotten that goal. He had a couple of chances and perhaps should be more lethal. Overall, good performance. Just unlucky and we will need him for next few games, looking at our injury list.

Eden Hazard. 8

Hazard being Hazard, his game is always at a high level. His dribbling-mesmerizing. His passing-incredible. His link-up play-phenomenal. He was instrumental in Chelsea’s attacking play, trying to penetrate the packed Southampton defence.

-          Substitutes

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 7

Was drafted in early after Willian got injured in the first half. Had a really decent game. Linked up well in attack, great dribbling skills. I see a Pogba likeness with Loftus-Cheek and perhaps he will grow to Pogba’s stature in the coming years.

Cesc Fabregas, 8

The Wizard, he wears a magic hat. Shows that he really needs to pen a new contract quickly. His passing and vision is still phenomenal. Opened up Southampton’s defence so many times with his passing. Could have gotten an assist. Gives a run for money on all the midfield spots to be honest.