CHELSEA not in this title race? It's becoming increasingly difficult to believe Enzo Maresca when he says that.
Just as no one took seriously his claim that this would be the Blues' toughest test of the season.
Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho were the latest to break through Southampton, who are still rooted at the bottom of the Premier League.
The Blues, meanwhile, continue to keep the pressure on Liverpool as fans chant that they “have their Chelsea back”.
Maresca showed a much changed side and reminded of the depth he has to offer. Enzo Fernandez, Joao Felix and Nkunku all impressed but could still be dropped at Tottenham on Sunday.
Southampton have been in a festive mood since the end of August, handing out points to almost everyone they have come across.
The saints' generosity has taken the form of continued nonsense and their catalog of disasters continues here.
Fourth-choice goalkeeper Joe Lumley scored one goal before captain Jack Stephens was shown a red card in the first half for a mad hair-pulling from Marc Cucurella.
There was hope when Joe Aribo scored an early equalizer, but that quickly faded.
Maresca described the visit to rock bottom Southampton, with a total of 11 players out due to injuries and suspensions, as Chelsea's “worst” game of the season.
But the Italian still decided to make seven changes, the most notable of which was the Premier League debut in goal for Filip Jorgensen, with Robert Sánchez missing.
Despite having to name a patched-together side, Russell Martin's men gave Chelsea a few early scares with the ball but were quickly undone by a set-piece.
Fernandez dipped a corner to the near post where Disasi was free to nod in after Lumley had been crowded out and couldn't jump to punch clear.
Too often this season, Southampton have succumbed at the first sign of adversity, but here they responded superbly – making the later collapse all the more frustrating for Martin.
Walker-Peters fed Cameron Archer before charging after him.
The former Spurs man played in a back three but found himself on Chelsea's byline, where he smashed the ball through Fernandez's legs with his heel before crossing towards Aribo to tap home.
While they showed some efforts going forward, Southampton were left in tatters at the back as they tried to cope with Chelsea's attacking talent.
Felix and Madueke provided an immediate threat that left the hosts extremely stretched, with Fernandez dictating behind him.
Although Chelsea didn't need anything special to take second place from the ever obliging Saints defence.
Lumley played a silly ball to Walker-Peters, who was robbed by Madueke before he knew what was happening.
The England winger was squarely in front of Nkunku, who had so much time to finish into an open net that he could have blown up his trademark balloon before even scoring.
Lumley responded well to his mistake, denying one goal from Madueke and two from Palmer – the second a brilliant save.
But the Saints keeper, who only made his Premier League debut last week, could do nothing to stop the Blues' third-place finish.
Fernandez found Felix who quickly turned and played forward for Madueke, who stood up Ryan Manning, shifted to his left and found the far corner.
Southampton's admirable commitment to shooting themselves in the foot continued – this time from their own corner.
Captain Jack Stephens, the only remaining senior centre-back, decided to pull a lock of Cucurella's hair at the far post.
The Spaniard quickly hit the deck and VAR wasted no time in pointing out that the Saints skipper should walk.
It may feel shocking that a yank on someone's barnet is considered violent behavior, but Stephens was incredibly stupid to abandon his teammates in that way.
The evening was already over for the hosts, but the loss of a defender allowed the visitors to wander around for the rest of the evening.
Chelsea, who usually loved to embrace the chaos, kept a tight grip on the rest of the evening.
They continued to find space and edged closer to fourth – which was neatly delivered by Palmer, who would never miss a night like this.
This time there was no flash of brilliance from the boy wonder, just a poacher's instinct as he tapped in after Nkunku had been felled yards from goal.
Maresca's night couldn't have gotten much better, but in the summer signing Sancho provided a final flourish by scoring his first goal for the club.
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