Arsenal, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, West Ham, Everton, Fulham, Leicester, Manchester City, Liverpool, Fulham, Totthenham Hotspur.
Those are the 11 fortunate Premier League teams that will face Southampton once more this season. As the battle for European qualification is extremely competitive this season and the Saints are significantly outmatched by all teams except their relegation rivals, it is becoming a truly significant factor in any assessments.
Do they still have a match with Southampton? It's unfortunate for Newcastle, Forest, Bournemouth, and now Chelsea, who can no longer count on those three guaranteed future points.
Upon Southampton's victory at Ipswich, we must acknowledge our disappointment for two reasons. Initially, it greatly reduced the likelihood of a serious relegation battle, and secondly, it seemed to extinguish any aspirations of Southampton surpassing Derby's notorious 11-point season as it approached its conclusion.
We aren't as confident about the second part after witnessing this disappointing performance at Chelsea. Considering that list of upcoming fixtures once more, you can't help but question where the three points they require could originate.
The tongue-in-cheek response is clearly Tottenham, yet even they seem to have forsaken the most serious of absurdities for now, and failing to defeat Southampton is now a feat of the utmost absurdity.
Spurs’ most dismal stretch of a dreadful season included just one victory in 11 Premier League matches. That single victory was, of course, against Southampton, and it reached 5-0 by half-time.
The only match where you could now justifiably anticipate Southampton to achieve anything is that trip to Leicester, which isn't until May and by then both teams are probably already resigned to next season's Championship.
Derby, it’s important to note, also accumulated nine points after 27 matches while establishing a record that seemed unbreakable.
There was a measure of relief for Southampton regarding tonight's particular disaster, featuring a defense that hardly even qualified as temporary.
However, the overwhelming extent of the chaos was a source of embarrassment, and this cannot be viewed as a mere isolated incident. They have scored six goals less than all others and allowed six goals more than anyone else this season.
That worn-out defense could easily approach 100 goals allowed now if a few of the stronger teams they still face are in a ruthless mood. There are several lengthy months to come.
For Chelsea, this was an incredibly gratifying evening amidst what has been a truly challenging time. What it truly signifies, who can say. Observing that it’s impossible to determine if any significant conclusions can be made is not a criticism of Chelsea.
Christopher Nkunku and Pedro Neto delivered standout performances in Chelsea's attack, while substitute Tyrique George’s energetic appearance off the bench showcased the vibrant play of a young talent that always delights fans.
If there was an issue for Chelsea on a night filled with strong positives, it arose from another shaky performance by Cole Palmer.
That's now six consecutive Premier League matches without a goal or assist for Palmer, and he appeared lacking in confidence here. Passes that he would have completed effortlessly a few months prior were carelessly overshot, he took a shot early in the match when he should have passed to set up Nkunku for a tap-in, and he generally seems out of rhythm and uncertain about how to fix this.
It hardly seemed like it would be a factor that would cost Chelsea tonight, but it has in the past and might again in what is expected to be a back-and-forth struggle for European spots.
This victory propels Chelsea back to fourth place, and the margin of the win may also turn out to be important. Currently, Chelsea boasts the top goal difference among all teams outside the top two. At the very least, it already counts as an additional point in the ultimate tally against Villa, considering Unai Emery’s team is just four points behind Chelsea but now has a deficit of 21 goals after significant changes in both their matches tonight.
Chelsea accomplished what was required here effortlessly and without much hassle. It was a completely fulfilling night’s effort, even though they understand they might find themselves back in sixth place by this time tomorrow, and the uncertainty of what, if anything, this reveals about Chelsea's current performance level, confidence, or preparedness for the upcoming months is not at all their responsibility or worry.
For Southampton, only 11 more matches remain before this unfortunate situation concludes. Derby will be paying close attention, even if no one else does.
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