SOU vs CHE
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Match report: Saints 2-1 Chelsea

Look back on tonight's game by checking out our report!

FULL TIME: Saints 2-1 Chelsea 🙌 

WHAT. A. GAME. And what a three points. With no second-half goals to report at St Mary's, Southampton claim a huge victory over Chelsea. While some stoic defending was required from Hasenhüttl's men in the closing stages of the clash, nothing could deny the Saints the W when the final whistle blew. Onto Wolves ...

Five additional minutes ...

Nail biting stuff. 

Elyounoussi makes vital interception

Every single Saints player is playing their part in the closing stages at St Mary's. This time it's Moi Elyounoussi who gets back inside his own area to break up the Chelsea attack, dispossessing Raheem Sterling. 

Bella-Kotchap stands firm

Excellent from Armel Bella-Kotchap, who both denies the Chelsea attack and rallies the fans support simultaneously. 

Southampton substitution: Lyanco replaces Adam Armstrong

Saints' second goalscorer is replaced to a rapturous applause at St Mary's. A cracking display.

Saints in control?

With just over ten minutes left to play at St Mary's, Southampton have done well to break down the Chelsea attack. With momentum firmly in the hosts favour, can they hold on for a huge three points under the lights?

OFF THE LINE 🥵

A James Ward-Prowse corner nearly results in a third for the hosts, but Thiago Silva gets back with his goalkeeper to make a vital clearance off the line. 

Southampton substitution: Moussa Djenepo replaces Romain Perraud

A second substitution for Saints, with Romain Perraud the next to be applauded off the pitch at St Mary's. A wonderful first start back for the Frenchman. 

Tensions rising at St Mary's

The atmosphere is certainly heating up in SO14, Armel Bella-Kotchap comes off worse in an aerial battle with Marc Cucurella, with play paused momentarily. 

Yellow Card for James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

The captain gets himself in the book for a push on Hakim Ziyech. 

Saints holding possession 

An excellent period of possession for Saints after the substitution, no clear cut opportunities for a goal but promising signs from the men in white and red. 

Southampton substitution: Joe Aribo replaces Roméo Lavia

Roméo Lavia walks off the pitch to a standing ovation from the Saints fans. Lavia looks to have picked up a knock, hopefully it's nothing serious. 

Yellow Card for Mohammed Salisu (Southampton)

Salisu finds himself in the book. 

SO CLOSE 😱

A wonderfull ball across goal from Romain Perraud could provide the opportunity for Saints to extend their lead with Moi Elyounoussi first getting his diving headed shot away, it's blocked by Marc Cucurella but as Ché Adams heads the ball back down, Elyounoussi has a second opportunity to strike but this time his effort is saved by Édouard Mendy. 

Back to it 👊

What can Saints deliver in the second-half?

HALF TIME: Saints 2-1 Chelsea 😍

Saints lead Chelsea at the break after an end-to-end opening half in SO14. A stunning strike from Roméo Lavia cancelled out Raheem Sterling's opener, with Adam Armstrong making it two shortly before the half-time whistle. We've now got 15 minutes to recover from an electric first-half at St Mary's!

GOALSCORER 9 Adam Armstrong

ARMSTRONG GIVES SAINTS THE LEAD 🔥

What a moment for Adam Armstrong. Just as the tempo seems to have slowed down at St Mary's, Southampton find themselves with the advantage for the first time in the tie. Calm and composed for the striker, who gets the ball over Édouard Mendy and into the back of the net. 

Armstrong in the mood? 👀

A lovely individual run from Adam Armstrong down the left flank, who then releases a shot goalwards from the edge of the area. It's a comfortable retrieval for Édouard Mendy, but a promising sign from the striker. 

Armstrong scuffs a chance for a second

Kyle Walker-Peters delivers the throw in to the chest of Ché Adams, bringing it down for Moi Elyounoussi who launches the perfect looping ball to a charging Adam Armstrong on the edge of the area. For a moment it looks as though it could be two, but with the Chelsea defence hurtling back, Armstrong scuffs the opportunity and Édouard Mendy recovers. 

GOALSCORER 45 Roméo Lavia

WHAT A GOAL 🔥

Now THAT is how you make your mark. A spectacular debut goal from the 18-year-old who awaits on the edge of the box after James Ward-Prowse' cleared corner. One touch was all the youngster needed to control the ball before firing it past Mendy and into the back of the net. Game ON.

Saints utilising Salisu's long throw

For the second time in as many minutes, Mohammed Salisu launches a trademark long-throw in into the area. The second, without infringement, looks to be heading the way of Ché Adams but enough is done from the Chelsea defence for the threat to be cleared. 

Saints strong on the set-piece

Adam Armstrong does well to win the corner off of César Azpilicueta. Two consecutive corners for James Ward-Prowse to whip into the box, but both are cleared by Thiago Silva. Positive early signs from Ralph Hasenhüttl's men. 

Lively start at St Mary's

The Saints players are certainly giving the fans something to cheer for, with Kyle Walker-Peters making a strong break down the right flank after César Azpilicueta loses the ball on the break, before attempting to push the ball into the box across goal. No real problem for the Chelsea defence, though. 

Elyounoussi denied by Mendy ❌

It's been a fast-paced start at St Mary's with both sides pressing for every ball. The first real offence falls the way of Saints. Ché Adams lays the ball into Moi Elyounoussi, who composes himself before striking a low, bouncing ball towards goal. It's on target, but direct to Édouard Mendy. 

All systems go 🚦

We're underway at St Mary's, come on you Saints!

SAINTS LINE-UP CONFIRMED 😇

Starting XI: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Perraud, Ward-Prowse [c], Lavia, Diallo, Elyounoussi, Adams, A. Armstrong.

Subs: McCarthy, Lyanco, Bednarek, Valery, Djenepo, S. Armstrong, Aribo, Mara, Walcott. 

Team news 🔜

We're just fifteen minutes away from announcing the team news at St Mary's. Will Hasenhüttl make any changes to the starting XI that fell to a narrow defeat to Manchester United on the weekend?

🎙 Take your seat for the Press Conference ...

Hear what Ralph Hasenhüttl had to say ahead of tonight's clash at St Mary's. 

MATCH PACK: Saints vs Chelsea 🔢

Get up to date with all of the pre-match stats and facts with our Match Pack.

We need to have the same effort, same performance and then hopefully a different result. [Chelsea] are a great team. We all know what quality they have.”

ralph hasenhüttl

on taking positives from united 

UNDER THE LIGHTS ✨

For the first time this season, Southampton host Chelsea under the lights in the Premier League. After a disappointing defeat to Manchester United on the weekend, Hasenhüttl's side will be looking to take the positives from the clash when the West London outfit arrive in SO14 this evening.