St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton — Premier Division, 2 October 2055
Netanel Sahar struck twice as Chelsea edged a pulsating seven-goal contest against Southampton, winning 4–3 to go top of the Premier Division on a stormy afternoon at St Mary’s. It was a match of relentless twists — an own goal, a penalty, and a pair of braces from forwards who refused to quit.
Luke Magee ignited the home crowd early with a poacher’s finish in the fifth minute, but misfortune followed when full-back Emerson Salazar turned the ball into his own net just eight minutes later. Sahar then seized control, heading home from close range to put Chelsea in front before smashing in a second — a low, skidding drive that silenced the Southampton end and reminded them of the striker’s past allegiances.
Marcos Delfino, outstanding throughout, pulled Southampton level twice with sharp finishes on 39 and 51 minutes, the second a neat strike into the bottom corner. But veteran winger Scott Crichton converted a thunderous penalty after VAR confirmed a foul on substitute Jairzinho, sealing Chelsea’s seventh straight league win.
The match was as open as it was chaotic. Southampton mustered ten shots to Chelsea’s fifteen, but the visitors’ greater control in midfield — 57% possession and a superior xG of 2.73 to 2.07 — ultimately proved decisive. Luther Banton, Alan Kardec, and Rogério José all picked up bookings as Chelsea held firm in the closing stages.
Man of the Match: Marcos Delfino (Southampton) — 8.4 rating, two goals, tireless throughout.
With this win, Chelsea climb to the summit of the Premier Division, their confidence swelling as winter sets in. Southampton, valiant yet undone, can take solace in having gone toe-to-toe with the league’s most in-form side.
