Frank Lampard's Chelsea are really beginning to come together.
Goals from Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante and (even) Michy Batshuayi ensured that the Blues left St. Mary's with a comfortable three points on Saturday.
4-1! What a day! #SOUCHE pic.twitter.com/d3rUN0tRVP
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 6, 2019
There was a lot of love from Blues fans directed towards one man once the team news had broken.
Callum Hudson-Odoi - making his first start in the Premier League under Frank Lampard...
Hudson-Odoi, Mount & Abraham starting together in a league game. Inject it into my veins #CFC #SOUCHE
— Khai (@KhaiHazard) October 6, 2019
Unbelievable to see Tomori , Mount , Hudson Odoi and Tammy all starting a PL game.I would've ridiculed this lineup last season but not now #SOUCHE
— aakash (@AKS95) October 6, 2019
It's Callum Hudson-odoi time#SOUCHE
— 픽핝핒핧핚할 핏핒핧핚핖핣 (@Fxds13) October 6, 2019
However, it wasn't all positive, with some keen to voice their frustration over the lack of game time new signing Christian Pulisic was getting...
lamprad needs to start playing pulisic especillay this game he hasnt got any game time and willian and mount look tired poor lineup today #SOUCHE
— SE Gaming (@SEGaming4) October 6, 2019
Not supporting @ChelseaFC until @cpulisic_10 plays. #SOUCHE
— Eric Phillips (@EricPhillipsUSA) October 6, 2019
The game started at a frantic pace, with a number of players flying into challenges. While the away side struggled to really find any rhythm in the early exchanges, they did end up taking the lead in the 17th minute.
Hudson-Odoi played a straight ball over the Saints defence, which Abraham latched onto before lifting it over Angus Gunn. Despite the best efforts of Maya Yoshida, goal-line technology confirmed that the ball was over the line.
Another goal for the young forward...
The Tammy Abraham effect.#SOUCHE
— Mainace. (@cypheriscool) October 6, 2019
Tammy!!!! #SOUCHE
— Jomar ️ (@IamJomar_J) October 6, 2019
Tammy Abraham is superb #SOUCHE
— AllThingsFootball (@TheFinalWhistl3) October 6, 2019
The hosts appeared deflated having gone behind despite a promising start and, as a result, began to make numerous sloppy mistakes.
Lampard's youngsters began to assert themselves on the match and were able to double their lead only seven minutes later.
This time, Mason Mount the man to stroll through the Saints defence, taking as long as he needed before looking up and firing home. It was shoddy defending, but Blues fans didn't care...
Mount the pressure on Saint.
— audu oluwaseun (@audu_oluwaseun) October 6, 2019
.@masonmount_10 makes it 2-0
24mins #SOUCHE
Mason Mount makes it 2 - 0..
— KNOXPETE (@KNOXTAINMENT) October 6, 2019
These young lads won't stop scoring..#SOUCHE pic.twitter.com/X0SaFgNeDM
Southampton 0-2 Chelsea youth ⚽️ #SOUCHE #CFC #KTBFFH
— Richard Lavender (@Lavender_901) October 6, 2019
This could literally be any score #SOUCHE
— Brendan Haywood (@bread_man) October 6, 2019
Chelsea must always concede 臘♂️ #SOUCHE
— C H I E M E R I E (@cn_rayray) October 6, 2019
After three quick-fire goals, it became abundantly clear that there were more goals in this game, with both sides continuing to forget the art of defending.
Following chances for both sides, N'Golo Kante was the next man to step up and get in on the act - making it 3-1, just in case you're beginning to lose count...
Who/what is controlling this game? Every speculative shot results in a goal . . . #SOUCHE
— David Wells (@wells_dj) October 6, 2019
Kante is an absolute weapon 勞 #SOUCHE
— Rion (@Saint_Rion) October 6, 2019
I'm telling u the simplest truth that's Lamps kinda goal. #SOUCHE https://t.co/Y3FoI8yTsZ
— Duru Modesty (@Desty2d) October 6, 2019
The second half was nothing like the first, with the tempo and overall quality of the match dropping.
Despite Southampton's best efforts to get back into the game, Kepa remained untroubled and the Blues appeared to be coasting to victory.
But, Lampard's men decided they wanted to add insult to injury - adding a fourth late on.
The two forgotten men - Christian Pulisic and Michy Batshuayi - combining to put the icing on the cake...
#SOUCHE 1-4 Batman Pulisic assist
— peace love empathy lampard (@jigneosil) October 6, 2019
what a ball by puli #SOUCHE
— ً (@kylewild) October 6, 2019
So, a comfortable victory for the Londoners.
But, it seems as though things are coming together for Lampard and his men.
The energy chelsea played with today against southampton, u would think they had 12 supercharged batteries in their system. Am proud to be #SOUCHE blues fan.
— alan (@SairiAllan) October 6, 2019
Imagine what Lampard and Chelsea will be like when they get money to spend..
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) October 6, 2019
Really impressed with Chelsea recently, just going under the radar getting some great results, will be well in the mix for top 4 #SOUCHE
— Ryan Tatham (@tatham91) October 6, 2019
As for the Saints, it was a torrid afternoon and Sunday's match only confirmed once again that the defence is not up to scratch.
Source : 90min