Barkley takes ‘Sarri-ball’ to a new level
of and not go into a shell, which is what it can look like I do at times,” said Barkley. “I’ve got to have the confidence in my own ability – I believe, as the season goes on, that I’ll continue to show it.”
It was being billed as Champions v Challengers 230 miles north in Liverpool but, whatever Sarri says about this season being too early for his team, the wider evidence here was that they are legitimate contenders.
With Jorginho outstanding, they dominated Southampton in a manner that underlined just how much has changed at both clubs since their last meeting in April. Chelsea were lucky to win 3-2 that day, but a Southampton team who were briefly revitalised under Mark Hughes now look worryingly short of confidence. Five points from eight games tells its own story.
Chelsea have won more games at St Mary’s since December last year than Southampton. “Typical afternoon – we were too passive,” said Hughes.
The key tactical change for Chelsea had been the selection of Barkley at the expense of Mateo Kovacic, and their dominance was immediate. Southampton had switched to a three-man defence but this soon amounted to a virtual flat back five, especially once Hazard was on the ball.
The statistics after minutes were revealing. Chelsea had enjoyed 85 per cent of possession.
Southampton did still threaten in those rare moments when they got on the ball and Danny Ings should have put them ahead, but volleyed over. 15 Still, Chelsea were on the front foot and, with Pierre-emile Hojbjerg hesitant on receiving Wesley Hoedt’s pass, Barkley won back possession and released Hazard.
The Belgian was one-on-one with Alex Mccarthy and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. It was a ninth goal, to add to his three assists, in only his past 11 games.
Southampton produced their best passage of the match on the game’s resumption, but the opportunity to get back into it proved fleeting. Olivier Giroud’s hooked cross was diverted past Mccarthy by Barkley.
Alvaro Morata had shot tamely straight at Mccarthy when he was first released on goal by Hazard but did not waste a second chance, dinking the ball over the goalkeeper to complete a wonderful move and add further gloss to Chelsea’s unbeaten start.