Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League's top four with a straightforward 4-0 win against Southampton at Stamford Bridge that edged the visitors a step nearer to relegation.
Around 200 home supporters gathered outside the ground with banners and smoke flares ahead of kick-off to voice opposition to the club's ownership but tensions were eased, temporarily perhaps, as Enzo Maresca's team scored three in the first half to win for only the third time in 11 in the league.
Christopher Nkunku netted his 14th of the season in all competitions, Pedro Neto scored a rare but needed goal in his personal quest for confidence and Levi Colwill headed a third. Marc Cucurella's finish from Tyrique George's cutback completed the rout.
If there was a negative it was that Cole Palmer failed to end what is now a seven-game run without a goal and in doing so missed a glut of presentable chances.
Relive all the action from Stamford Bridge here:
Chelsea vs Southampton LIVE
- Chelsea beat Southampton 4-0 in the Premier League
- The Blues climb back to fourth as they reignite their Champions League charge | Miguel Delaney
- REPORT: Chelsea’s easy win can’t hide deeper issues that threaten the fabric of modern football
- FULL-TIME! Chelsea 4-0 Southampton
- 78' - GOAL! Cucrella finishes off counter-attacking move (CHE 4-0 SOU)
- 44' - GOAL! Colwill heads home Neto's free-kick (CHE 3-0 SOU)
- 37' - GOAL! Neto's powerful finish doubles Blues lead (CHE 2-0 SOU)
- 24' - GOAL! Nkunku stoops to head in at the back post (CHE 1-0 SOU)
Chelsea FC 4 - 0 Southampton FC
REPORT: Chelsea’s easy win can’t hide deeper issues that threaten the fabric of modern football
22:42 , Luke BakerEnzo Maresca, for now, has his Chelsea back at least. Whether it will quieten down supporter protest in the medium term remains to be seen.
This is about more than whether Chelsea can be a Champions League club again, even as this 4-0 win over Southampton temporarily put them back into the top four.
That in turn undid the effects of the Aston Villa defeat at the weekend, in the way that seems to keep happening in this season’s wide-ranging race for the top four. No one can seize the moment, so Chelsea aren’t alone there.
The greater question is whether it will undo bigger concerns over Maresca’s team over the past few weeks, not to mention more profound questions over identity.
Read Miguel Delaney’s full analysis from Stamford Bridge:
Chelsea’s easy win can’t hide deeper issues that threaten the fabric of football
Pedro Neto reflects on Chelsea win
22:39 , Luke BakerA good day for Pedro Neto, who got a goal and an assist in the 4-0 win.
Here’s his post-match thoughts:
"We have to take on the responsibility and work for it"
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2025
Pedro Neto reflects on a huge Chelsea win over Southampton...
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FULL-TIME! Chelsea 4-0 Southampton
22:09 , Luke BakerA comfortable evening’s work for Chelsea as Nkunku, Neto, Calwill and Cucurella all find the net in an easy win.
Back up to fourth for the time being as they reignite a Champions League charge. Southampton, meanwhile, look all but down.
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton, 90+2 mins
22:07 , Luke BakerFree-kick won about 25 yards out, dead central. Palmer, desperate for a goal, lines it up and hits the target but Ramsdale goes to his left and pushes the ball away. It was a comfortable height
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton, 90 mins
22:06 , Luke BakerMheuka almost scores with his first touch as the young academy striker heads Palmer’s header at goal but Ramsdale catches it!
Four minutes of added time
SAVE! Chelsea 4-0 Southampton, 88 mins
22:04 , Luke BakerGood stop by Ramsdale as Fernandez fires a shot at goal after digging the ball out from beneath his feet. He tips it over the bar.
Couple of final changes as Welington is on for Southampton, while Shim Mheuka makes his Premier League debut for Chelsea, on for Fernandez
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton, 84 mins
21:59 , Luke BakerPalmer lashes at goal again but his shot flies into the side netting. He looks desperate for a goal but his struggles are continuing.
Nkunku subbed off for Josh Acheampong and Mathis Amougou on for his Chelsea debut in place of Caicedo. A couple of teenagers entering the fray for the final stages
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton, 81 mins
21:56 , Luke BakerManning sees a shot blocked. It’s just not happened for Southampton tonight (or this season)
GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 Southampton (Marc Cucurella, 78 mins)
21:53 , Luke BakerChelsea counter at pace from a Southampton corner. They have a six on three, George gets to the byline, cuts it back to Marc Cucurella and he calmly strokes the finish beyond Ramsdale.
A fourth goal of the campaign from the Spaniard.
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 73 mins
21:48 , Luke BakerThe lively George races away down the left and a neat backheel gives Nkunku a shooting chance but it’s blocked by Aribo. Could George have given him the ball a fraction earlier?
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 70 mins
21:44 , Luke BakerImmediate chance for the youngster George as Fernandez slides a pass through, he hits it first time and goes for the near post but it flies over.
He snatched at the chance slightly, which is understandable in the circumstances
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 69 mins
21:43 , Luke BakerA couple of Chelsea subs as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and 19-year-old Tyrique George come on for Sancho and the very impressive Neto.
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 67 mins
21:41 , Luke BakerCaicedo clatters into Fernandes and receives a yellow card for his troubles. He protests but he can’t really have any complaints
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 64 mins
21:39 , Luke BakerChelsea are pressing here but their execution is just a shade off. Neto looks set to score a second but misses his kick
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 59 mins
21:33 , Luke BakerMore bad news for Southampton as Walker-Peters goes down injured and then hobbles off. He’s replaced by Ryan Mannings
Tyler Dibling also comes on for Onuachu in a double change.
MISS! Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 56 mins
21:32 , Luke BakerThat probably sums up the recent form of Palmer. He leans back and skews a shot over the bar.
The crowd expected him to curl that in.
SAVE! Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 52 mins
21:26 , Luke BakerPalmer’s cross is blocked out for a corner, which he takes quickly. Short to Fernandez who curls in a cross and Nkunku’s header is on target but Ramsdale does well to tip it over the bar.
The next corner is a more conventional one but Aribo heads clear.
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 50 mins
21:24 , Luke BakerGuasto with a good slide tackle in the area to cleanly win the ball and put it out for a corner. He had to get that right.
The corner comes to nothing and Chelsea build from the back.
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 47 mins
21:22 , Luke BakerChange at half-time for Southampton as Roy Keane’s future son-in-law Taylor Harwood-Bellis comes on in defence for James Bree.
The highly-rated Harwood-Bellis is just returning from injury
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 3-0 Southampton
21:20 , Luke BakerSecond half underway at Stamford Bridge. How many will Chelsea score?
WATCH: Colwill makes it 3-0
21:12 , Luke BakerHere’s that third Chelsea goal from Levi Colwill
Levi Colwill bags Chelsea's third on the day before his 22nd birthday 🙌🥳
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2025
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HALF-TIME! Chelsea 3-0 Southampton
21:10 , Luke BakerThat’s half-time. Once Nkunku broke the deadlock, Chelsea have been on cruise control.
This is a much-needed, ‘get well’ game for the Blues and is properly reigniting their Champions League charge
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton, 45+2 mins
21:04 , Luke BakerSouthampton looks shell-shocked here. They might have fancied their chances to springing an upset against a Chelsea side lacking in confidence but it’s over before half-time.
Two minutes of injury time.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Southampton (Levi Colwill, 44 mins)
21:02 , Luke BakerToo easy for Chelsea. Neto curls a free-kick into the box, Levi Colwill attacks it at the back post and heads past Ramsdale.
That wraps up the points for the Blues before half-time
WATCH: Neto doubles Chelsea's lead
21:00 , Luke BakerHere’s how Pedro Neto made it 2-0 to Chelsea
Pedro Neto doubles Chelsea's lead 🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/jsNpzxhAIu
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Southampton (Pedro Neto, 37 mins)
20:55 , Luke BakerThere’s the second goal for Chelsea! Downes gives the ball away, it’s slipped to Nkunku who allows Pedro Neto to make the run off him and finds a pinpoint reverse pass to slip the No 9 in.
It’s a good finish, hard at Ramsdale’s near post and flies in. The Blues in control
MISS! Chelsea 1-0 Southampton, 34 mins
20:52 , Luke BakerHow has Cole Palmer not made it 2-0? He cuts in from the right with a sumptuous touch after Sancho’s post and for all money looks set to curl it into the far corner but curls it wide.
Neto was coming in at the back post and looked like he might even turn it home but seemed to stop rather than attack the ball for the tap-in!
SAVE! Chelsea 1-0 Southampton, 32 mins
20:50 , Luke BakerJorgensen really doesn’t look comfortable with the ball at his feet. Southampton will fancy their chances on capitalising ona mistake.
BUT THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH HIS HANDS! That’s a brilliant save as a cross comes in from Sulemana, Onuachu powers a header at goal at the back post and Jorgensen spring to his left to push it away. He didn’t have much time to react there.
Filip Jorgensen pulls off a brilliant save to keep Chelsea in the lead 🧤
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2025
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WATCH: Christopher Nkunku heads Chelsea in front
20:46 , Luke BakerHere’s how the Blues took the lead:
Christopher Nkunku breaks the deadlock and Chelsea lead early 🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2025
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GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Southampton (Christopher Nkunku, 24 mins)
20:42 , Luke BakerBut there’s the breakthrough! From the corner following Ramsdale’s save, the cross comes in, Colwill gets a flick on and Christopher Nkunku stoops to head in at the back post.
He got goalside of Smallbone and then stuck his head where it might hurt with Ramsdale rushing out. A brave finish and Chelsea lead.
SAVE! Chelsea 0-0 Southampton, 23 mins
20:40 , Luke BakerA first real chance for Chelsea and that should be 1-0! Lovely touch by Fernandez and he slides Palmer in.
One on one, Ramsdale makes himself big and pulls off a brilliant save with his foot. Palmer has to score, or lay it off to Nkunku for the tap-in!
Chelsea 0-0 Southampton, 22 mins
20:39 , Luke BakerAlmost a moment for Palmer as he wriggles around on the edge of the box and tries to fashion a shooting opportunity but Bella-Kotchap is there to get a foot in - good tackle.
Palmer then tries to curl a first-time effort into the corner from outside the box but it’s skewed well wide. A man lacking a bit of form after his scintillating start to the season
Chelsea 0-0 Southampton, 20 mins
20:36 , Luke BakerBella-Kotchap writhes around clutching his leg after a collision with Neto. I think it was knee to knee - a painful one but no real damage done.
The fans are starting to let their frustration at Chelsea’s lethargic play be known here. They’re not moving the ball quickly enough
Chelsea 0-0 Southampton, 17 mins
20:33 , Luke BakerSome nervous jeers from the Chelsea fans as goalkeeper Jorgensen sees a pass nearly cut out. I don’t think they want him messing about in his own area...
Chelsea are big favourites here but they haven’t offered much in the opening 17 minutes here, truth be told.
Chelsea 0-0 Southampton, 12 mins
20:28 , Luke BakerGood work by Downes who lunges and intercepts a ball into the box that was heading for Cucurella, who could have struck at goal
Chelsea 0-0 Southampton, 9 mins
20:26 , Luke BakerSouthampton starting to come into this. Nice clipped cross by Bree towards Onuachu but Colwill leaps really well to flick it away. Onuachu had a free header at goal if he missed that.
At the other end, Sancho whips in a brilliant ball but there’s no Chelsea player attacking the space in the box. The downside to lacking a true No 9, dare I say.
Chelsea 0-0 Southampton, 6 mins
20:23 , Luke BakerGood pace by Sulemana down the Southampton left as he narrowly outpaces Tosin.
Sulemana trying to get his body across the Chelsea centre-back to draw the foul but he uses his strength to muscle the Saints man off the ball legally. Good defending
Chelsea 0-0 Southampton, 5 mins
20:21 , Luke BakerA ball through the middle almost frees Fernandez but Bree covers well and nips it away from the Argentine World Cup winner.
Possession has been all Chelsea’s so far but they’re yet to create anything of note.
Chelsea 0-0 Southampton, 2 mins
20:18 , Luke BakerAn early foul by Smallbone in the middle of the park - Southampton will want to be physical today.
Neto is starting in the No 9 position for Chelsea with Nkunku and Sancho on the wings, giving Palmer freedom to roam in the middle of the park
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 0-0 Southampton
20:16 , Luke BakerUnderway at Stamford Bridge. Simply a must-win game for Chelsea.
Chelsea v Southampton
20:08 , Luke BakerNot long until kick-off now - will Chelsea get the win they so desperately need?
Can Southampton survive?
20:00 , Chris WilsonThough the Saints haven’t mathematically been relegated yet, their current form suggests that they will go down bottom of the league.
For a short while, Juric’s side were on track to equal – or do worse than – the league's record lowest points total – Derby County with 11 points in 2007/08.
Southampton currently sit on nine points, with 12 games left to play, although they did win one of their last five games – a 2-1 victory over Ipswich.
Unfortunately, the Saints need to make up 13 points on Wolves to avoid relegation, which looks extremely unlikely.
In fact, it is arguably more likely that they equal the record points low rather than survive, though fixtures against Wolves and Leicester are vital chances to pick up points.
Match facts
19:55 , Chris WilsonSouthampton won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in their last Premier League campaign of 2022-23 – they’ve not won consecutive away league games against Chelsea since March 1985.
Following a 19-game winless run away from home in the Premier League (D4 L15), the Saints won 2-1 at Ipswich in their last match on the road. They’ve not won consecutively away from home in the division since June 2020.
However, Southampton have now conceded at least 60 goals in each of their last six Premier League campaigns. They’re only the second side to ever do so in the competition, after Bournemouth (2015-16 to 2023-24).
The fight for survival
19:50 , Chris WilsonAt the other end of the table, Southampton are still fighting for survival, but their hopes are fading fast.
The Saints have earned just nine points so far this season – the bottom four looks like this ahead of kick-off:
17th - Wolves - 22pts
18th - Ipswich - 17pts
19th - Leicester City - 17pts
20th - Southampton - 9pts
Head-to-head
19:45 , Chris WilsonThese two sides have met 85 times in the past, with Chelsea winning 41 matches Southampton winning 22, and another 22 ending as draws.
The last time these teams met was in December, when Chelsea ran out 5-1 winners at St Mary’s.
The race for top four
19:40 , Chris WilsonAhead of this week’s fixtures, Chelsea sit in seventh, though they are only a point behind fourth-placed Manchester City in the race for Champions League places.
City, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Villa are the other sides competing for a place, and the table looks like this ahead of kick-off:
4th - Manchester City - 44pts
5th - Newcastle - 44pts
6th - Bournemouth - 43pts
7th - Chelsea - 43pts
8th - Aston Villa - 42pts
Will the Premier League get an extra Champions League spot next season?
19:30 , Chris WilsonAn important factor in the race for the top four...
The race for the top four in the Premier League is often one of the most intriguing parts of the season as teams battle to qualify for the Champions League.
A place in Europe’s top club competition has long been the main reward for sides finishing second to fourth, but Champions League qualification could now include whichever team finishes in fifth in the 2024/25 season.
The Premier League is currently leading the race for one of the two ‘bonus’ spots that Uefa now award in the expanded Champions League format.
Uefa gives the two extra places to the domestic leagues who perform the best in European competition this season, and it means that the English top-flight could see up to seven teams taking part in the Champions League next season.
Will the Premier League get an extra Champions League spot in 2025?
Enzo Maresca ‘not concerned’ by Cole Palmer body language during Chelsea slump
19:20 , Chris WilsonChelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said his side’s over-reliance on Cole Palmer could be affecting the England forward’s form after his goalless streak extended to six games in Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa.
The 22-year-old remains the club’s leading scorer this season with 14 but he has not netted since the draw against Bournemouth on January 14 while his last assist came 13 matches ago.
Chelsea have dropped from second in the Premier League to seventh during a run of two wins from 10 games and face being squeezed out of the race to qualify for the Champions League if results do not improve.
Enzo Maresca ‘not concerned’ by Cole Palmer body language during Chelsea slump
Chelsea vs Southampton team news
19:14 , Luke BakerPedro Neto retains his place in the Chelsea XI after impressing last time out and could continue as the makeshift No 9 although Christopher Nkunku is another option in that position.
Jadon Sancho also starts while Filip Jorgensen stays between the sticks, as promised by Enzo Maresca, despite his game-losing howler against Aston Villa.
Highly-rated Tyler Dibling is on the bench for Southampton, as are Cameron Archer and Welington, giving them potential options to change the game.
That’s because Kamaldeen Sulemana, Paul Onuachu and Mateus Fernades all start in the attacking areas.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Nkunku, Sancho; Neto
Southampton XI: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Bree, Bella-Kotchap, Walker-Peters; Aribo, Smallbone, Downes; Fernandes, Onuachu, Sulemana
Chelsea vs Southampton team news
19:02 , Luke BakerHere’s how the two teams line up today
Here are your Tuesday night Blues. 🔵#CFC | #CHESOU pic.twitter.com/XdO4WMjvcr
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 25, 2025
Your Saints to take on Chelsea 💛 pic.twitter.com/fdOgV1Kc5Z
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 25, 2025
Line-ups
18:55 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be released in around five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
Enzo Maresca confirmed that Trevoh Chalobah will be out for between seven and 10 days after being forced off against Villa.
There were no additional injury concerns, with Nicolas Jackson, Wesley Fofana, Noni Madueke, Marc Guiu and Romeo Lavia the long-term absentees.
For Southampton, Jan Bednarek is the only new injury concern from the loss to Brighton, and the club are awaiting a scan to determine the extent of his issue.
Lesley Ugochukwu will be unavailable to face his parent club, while Adam Lallana and Taylor Harwood-Bellis remain out until March and there are no concrete return dates for Ryan Fraser and Ross Stewart.
Enzo Maresca confirms first-choice Chelsea goalkeeper after Filip Jorgensen howler
18:50 , Chris WilsonChelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Filip Jorgensen will remain his first-choice goalkeeper despite the 22-year-old’s costly mistakein the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.
Jorgensen allowed Marco Asensio’s volley to creep under him in the 89th minute at Villa Park to give Villa a comeback win, with the visitors having been 1-0 up courtesy of Enzo Fernandez's strike.
During a press conference on Monday morning, before the midweek clash with Southampton, Maresca was asked if the error had changed his thinking regarding who his first-choice keeper was.
Enzo Maresca confirms first-choice Chelsea goalkeeper after Jorgensen howler
Chelsea’s goalkeeping woes continue as Aston Villa grab late win
18:40 , Chris WilsonOn Chelsea’s loss at the weekend...
Filip Jorgensen’s late howler in the Chelsea goal handed Aston Villa a Champions League qualification lifeline as they won 2-1 at Villa Park.
The Blues’ goalkeeping problems continued as Jorgensen inexplicably let Marcos Asensio’s saveable shot straight through his grasp in the 89th minute to give Villa a vital three points in the race for the top four.
Unai Emery’s men looked like falling short and drawing a third home game in a week as Asensio’s 57th-minute strike cancelled out Enzo Fernandez’s early opener.
Chelsea’s goalkeeping woes continue as Aston Villa grab late win
Brighton brush aside Southampton to keep European hopes on track
18:30 , Chris WilsonOn Southampton’s most recent result...
Brighton made it three wins in a row as they cruised to a 4-0 victory at rock-bottom Southampton to climb to eighth place in the Premier Leagueand keep their European ambitions on track.
Goals from the excellent Joao Pedro, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood were more than enough to condemn the Saints to a 21st defeat of the season and leave them on just nine points, two fewer than Derby’s record low total from the 2007/8 season.
As if they did not already have enough problems, Southampton lost their captain Jan Bednarek through injury after 10 minutes. Forgotten man Armel Bella-Kotchap was his replacement, coming off the bench to huge acclaim from the home support to make his first appearance in 567 days for the club.
Brighton brush aside Southampton to keep European hopes on track
Prediction
18:15 , Chris WilsonDespite their recent run of poor results, a match against the worst-performing side in the league provides a great chance for Chelsea to grab a win that hopefully re-ignites their bid for Champions League qualification.
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton.
Predicted line-ups
18:10 , Chris WilsonChelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Nkunku; Neto.
Southampton XI: Ramsdale; Bree, Bednarek, Aribo; Walker-Peters, Smallbone, Fernandes, Welington; Diblig, Archer, Sulemana.
Team news
18:05 , Chris WilsonFor Southampton, Jan Bednarek is the only new injury concern from the loss to Brighton, and the club are awaiting a scan to determine the extent of his issue.
Lesley Ugochukwu will be unavailable to face his parent club, while Adam Lallana and Taylor Harwood-Bellis remain out until March and there are no concrete return dates for Ryan Fraser and Ross Stewart.
Team news
18:00 , Chris WilsonIn his pre-match conference, Enzo Maresca confirmed that Trevoh Chalobah will be out for between seven and 10 days after being forced off against Villa.
There were no additional injury concerns, with Maresca also confirming that Filip Jorgensen will remain as starting goalkeeper.
Maresca said that Pedro Neto’s performance at nine was ‘positive’, so he could expect to retain his place leading the line in the absence of Nicolas Jackson, while Wesley Fofana, Noni Madueke, Marc Guiu and Romeo Lavia the other long-term absentees.
Is Chelsea vs Southampton on TV?
17:50 , Chris WilsonWhen is Chelsea vs Southampton?
The match kicks off at 8.15pm GMT on Tuesday, 25 February at Stamford Bridge, London.
How can I watch the match?
The match will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 6.30pm. Subscribers can also watch online or on the discovery+ app.
Chelsea vs Southampton LIVE
17:40 , Chris WilsonChelsea face Southampton at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League tonight, with the hosts looking to re-ignite their bid for Champions League football.
The Blues sit in seventh ahead of the latest round of Premier League fixtures, with three defeats in their last five matches seeing them fall out of the top four.
But Enzo Maresca’s side are just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City, and a win tonight could be vital for the Blues’ chances of making the top four as they face a struggling Southampton side who have only managed to earn nine points so far this season.
Ivan Juric’s side lost 4-0 to Brighton last time out, and they currently trail 17th-placed Wolves by 13 points with just 12 games left to play.
Chelsea vs Southampton LIVE
17:30 , Chris WilsonGood evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight's Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton.
The Blues could return to fourth place with a win tonight, while Southampton are desperately hunting a win to give them hope of avoiding the drop.
We’ll have all the latest build-up and team news here.
