CHELSEA TURNING INTO PASS MASTERS
Sarri’s message is getting through as Blues put on South Coast show of quality
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.
Memories flashed back to the time Don Revie’s Leeds toyed with the Saints, stitching together 39 passes in a seven-goal thrashing at Elland Road. ‘It’s almost cruel,’ said Barry Davies on Match of
in 1972. This time, although the result was not so painful, the humiliation was completed by Morata, who scored his second goal in four days.
‘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 in their quest for more touches and wasted the fleeting opportunities which came their way to knock the contest into a different shape.
It was still goalless when Danny Ings missed from four yards, the net yawning before him as he arrived at speed and crashed a volley high over the bar from a cross by Ryan Bertrand.
At 2-0, Kepa Arrizabalaga turned a fierce 30-yarder from Nathan Redmond against the bar.
Most of the time, however, Chelsea were in control as they needlessly showcased their ‘ocean blue’ third kit beside the Solent and complemented the dull shirts with high-visibility socks fit to double as distress flares.
They pressed high, hustling Saints 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 last year when on target for Everton against Watford.
Back in the England squad, Barkley is finally flourishing and deserved the standing ovation from away fans when replaced.
‘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. He has great physical and technical quality and he is improving from a tactical point of view.
‘He has the potential to be a great player, a very important player in England and for the national team.’
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. ‘I don’t think about personal targets,’ said Hazard. ‘ I’m happy as long as we win. Maybe I need to think about that, some people only think about goals.’
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 set-play but nothing was given as Giroud peeled to the back post and twisted into shape for an acrobatic volley. Without doubt the France striker was going for goal, but miscued his effort square and Barkley was able to tap it in from close range.
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.
Even their £70million misfit is back among the goals after scoring the winner against Vidi in the Europa League on Thursday.
‘It is always very important for the striker to score,’ said Sarri. ‘Also very important is the performance and Alvaro has played very well in the Europa League and again here in the last 30 minutes.’
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 miserable sequence stretching back to November. Chelsea have won more games at St Mary’s in that time.
‘It is difficult to take positives,’ said Hughes. ‘We won in midweek but were not able to hit those levels today for whatever reason. We didn’t start with the intensity we wanted. We were too passive and allowed them to be comfortable in possession.
‘Credit to Chelsea, they were excellent. They’re an outstanding team and they’re on the front foot again.
‘Maybe last year they didn’t have that devilment that’s in their play at the moment. They will always be title contenders with the talent they have.’