Southampton 1 Chelsea 5: Blues’ second string XI inflict further misery on seemingly doomed Saints

CHELSEA not in this title race? It is getting harder to believe Enzo Maresca when he says so.

Just like no one took his claim that this would be the Blues’ toughest test of the season seriously.

Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho were the latest to tear through Southampton, who remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

The Blues, meanwhile, continue to keep the pressure firmly on Liverpool as there fans sing about having “their Chelsea back”.

Maresca sent out a much changed side and offered a reminder of the depth he has on offer. Enzo Fernandez, Joao Felix and Nkunku all impressed yet may still be dropped at Tottenham on Sunday.

Southampton have been in the festive spirit since late August, handing out points to almost everyone they’ve encountered.

The Saints’ generosity has come in the form of continuous cock-ups and their catalogue of calamities continued here.

Fourth-choice keeper Joe Lumley gifted one goal before skipper Jack Stephens was shown a first half red card for a daft pull on Marc Cucurella’s hair.

There was hope when Joe Aribo managed an early leveller, but it quickly evaporated.

Maresca described the visit to rock bottom Southampton, without a total of 11 players out through injury and suspension, as Chelsea’s “worst” game of the season.

But the Italian still decided to make seven changes, the most notable being a Premier League debut in goal for Filip Jorgensen, with Robert Sanchez dropped.

Though having to name a patched together side, Russell Martin’s men gave Chelsea a couple of early scares on the ball, but were quickly undone by a set piece.

Fernandez dipped a corner to the near post where Disasi was free to nod in after Lumley had been crowded out and could not leap to punch clear.

Too often this season Southampton have crumbled at the first sign of adversity, but here they responded superbly – which made the later collapse all the more frustrating for Martin.

Walker-Peters fed Cameron Archer before charging in behind himself.

The former Spurs man was playing in a back three but found himself on the Chelsea byline, where he back-heeled the ball through the legs of Fernandez before squaring for Aribo to tap in.

While they were showing flashes of endeavour going forwards, Southampton were left in tatters at the back trying to cope with Chelsea’s array of attacking talent.

Felix and Madueke were offering a direct threat which stretched the hosts extremely thin, with Fernandez dictating behind.

Though Chelsea did not need anything special to grab their second from the ever obliging Saints defence.

Lumley played a foolish ball to Walker-Peters, who was robbed by Madueke before he knew what was happening.

The England winger squared for Nkunku who had so much time to finish into an open net he would have been able to blow up his trademark balloon before even scoring.

Lumley responded well to his error, denying one strike from Madueke and two from Palmer – the second a brilliant save.

But the Saints keeper, who only made his Premier League debut last week, could do nothing to stop the Blues’ third.

Fernandez found Felix who quickly turned and played forwards for Madueke, who stood up Ryan Manning, shifted onto his left and found the far corner.

Southampton’s admirable dedication to shooting themselves in the foot continued – this time from their own corner.

Captain Jack Stephens, the only remaining senior central defender, decided to yank a strand of Cucurella’s hair at the far post.

The Spaniard swiftly hit the deck and VAR wasted no time pointing out that the Saints skipper should walk.

It may feel jarring that a tug on someone’s barnet is considered violent conduct, but Stephens was unbelievably daft to let his teammates down in that manner.

The night was already over for the hosts, but losing a defender allowed their visitors to stroll through the rest of the evening.

Chelsea, usually so keen to embrace chaos, kept a tight grip on the rest of the evening.

They continued to find space and were edging ever closer to a fourth – which was duly delivered by Palmer, who was never going to miss out on a night like this.

There was no flash of brilliance from the wonder boy this time, just a poacher’s instinct as he tapped in after Nkunku had been felled yards from goal.

Maresca’s night could not have got much better, but then summer signing Sancho added a final flourish by thumping in his first goal for the club.