Chelsea 0-1 Southampton: 3 positives and 3 negatives from dreadful home loss
Positives:
It can’t get much worse
Just like the big drop on a roller coaster. There is only one direction you can go, up. Losing at home to a Saints team that has been more unstable than any club in the league so far this season is tough to top. Many would have thought that CFC would have come out with much more fight given that the Blues deserved more in the Champions League on Wednesday. The goal seemed to have a brick wall in front of it.
While Gavin Bazunu is an impressive young goalkeeper, the Blues made him look much better than he actually is. Chelsea even needed Kalidou Koulibaly to clear a ball headed into the back of the net three minutes in to prevent what could have been a two-goal loss for the Blues. There were plenty of opportunities for CFC to even the score, but even a draw against a team like this at home would not have cut it. Belief is beginning to dwindle for many fans. This could have been the final straw, but the good thing is, there is only one way to go from here.
Cesar Azpilicueta is responsive after a scare
If that afternoon for the Blues could not get much worse, the captain and the heart and soul of the Blues went off on a stretcher. After French attacker, Sekou Mara accidentally kicked Cesar Azpilicueta in the face, every Blues fan at the Bridge, and watching at home held their breath. It took quite a while for both medical staffs in attendance to take Azpilicueta off.
Thankfully before he left the stadium, Dave signaled to the Blues fans, informing everyone he was going to be just fine. Reports from Potter, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta is conscious and responsive. Who knows how long it is going to take for the long-time captain to return to the pitch, but all everyone needed to know after a scare that severe is that he is all right.
More encouraging in the second half
Compared to what turned out to be an uninspiring first 45 minutes of football for Potter’s side, the Blues came out hunting for an equalizer. A fit Raheem Sterling brought new life onto the pitch for CFC. Sterling in fact finished the game with the team lead in shots and shot-creating actions in just 45 minutes.
From Mason Mount’s mistimed header to the Kai Havertz, and Sterling link-up in the 68’, the second 45 minutes for the Blues was what the fans wanted to see for the entire match. If only CFC had come out with that kind of aggression going forward to begin the game. Still, Chelsea is left empty-handed, and with even more questions about how any sort of confidence is going to be generated. Sterling’s positivity in his cameo should make him a lock to start against Tottenham. It was good, not great half of football from CFC, and if that is the standard, there is something seriously wrong.