Chelsea show they can play the Sarri way
THE future is bright, the socks are orange and the football is becoming like clockwork for Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri.
Take the third goal, scored in stoppage time by Alvaro Morata, who applied the final touch to a fluent move featuring 31 brisk passes. The travelling fans roared ‘Ole’ as Southampton, tired and defeated, were tormented.
‘This is my football,’ said Sarri. ‘Something like this. We moved the ball very quickly, one touch, maximum two touches, and we arrived at the goal so easily. It is my favourite goal at Chelsea because I can see my football in this.’
Saints were on their knees by this stage, having chased for 90 minutes, collected six yellow cards and wasted the fleeting opportunities which came their way.
It was goalless when Danny Ings missed from four yards, arriving at speed and crashing a volley high over the bar. At 2-0, Kepa Arrizabalaga turned a firece 30-yarder from Nathan Redmond against the bar.
Most of the time, however, Chelsea were in control. They pressed high, hustling for mistakes, pinging passes into feet and weaving pretty triangles on the ball. Willian saw an early drive deflected on to the bar before Eden Hazard struck, reward for Chelsea’s dominance on the half hour.
The goal was created by Ross Barkley, who soon followed his first Premier League assist for Chelsea with his first goal for the club; his first since May 2017 when on target for Everton against Watford.
‘I am really happy with him,’ said Sarri. ‘His best performance was in the Carabao Cup at Liverpool but today he played very well. From the beginning he has improved every day but the best will come from him.’
Barkley was selected to start ahead of Mateo Kovacic and soon repaid the manager’s faith when he pounced to win the ball from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and unzipped Southampton’s back three with a quick pass forward.
Hazard gathered the ball on the run as he eased into the penalty box and beat Alex McCarthy with a crisp and nerveless finish. It was his eighth goal in 10 appearances under Sarri.
Mark Hughes sent on Oriol Romeu at half-time and managed to assert slightly more control in midfield, but his team conceded the second from a free-kick, delivered by Willian.
Hughes complained of a foul in the setplay but nothing was given as Giroud peeled to the back post and twisted into shape for an acrobatic volley.
Morata missed a good chance before his dink over McCarthy completed a comfortable win.
Everything seems to be going to plan for Chelsea. They are unbeaten in 11 under Sarri and in step with the Premier League leaders as they break for internationals.
For Southampton, the campaign already has the look of another relegation struggle. They have won only one of their last 15 home games in the Premier League, a sequence stretching back to November. Chelsea have won more games at St Mary’s in that time. SOUTHAMPTON (3-4-3): McCarthy 5; Bednarek 5 (Romeu 46min, 5.5), Yoshida 6, Hoedt 6; Soares 6, Hojbjerg 5, Lemina 6, Bertrand 6.5; Gabbiadini 6 (Long 78), Ings 6, Redmond 6. Subs not used: Gunn, Vestergaard, Davis, Austin, Targett. Booked: Bertrand, Lemina, Soares, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Ings. Manager: Mark Hughes 6. CHELSEA (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga 6; Azpilicueta 6, Rudiger 6, Luiz 6.5, Alonso 6; Kante 6.5, Jorginho 7, Barkley 8 (Kovacic 81); Willian 6.5 (Pedro 74, 5), Giroud 6.5 (Morata 68, 6), Hazard 7.5. Subs not used: Caballero, Fabregas, Kovacic, Zappacosta, Cahill. Scorers: Hazard 30, Barkley 57, Morata 90+3. Manager: Maurizio Sarri 7. Referee: Craig Pawson 6. Attendance: 27,077.