Chelsea failed to win over Southampton after a 1-1 draw in Week 25 of the Premier League match at St Stadium. Mary’s, Saturday (20/2).
Chelsea opened up opportunities to score in the sixth minute. Reece James creates a cross from the right. The ball was immediately greeted by Marcos Alonso with a volley which was still wide on the left side of the Southampton goal.
The preoccupation with attacking made Chelsea’s defense porous. Southampton loan player from Liverpool, Takumi Minamino put the hosts ahead in the 33rd minute after receiving a pass from Nathan Redmond.
Minamino escaped the offside trap set by Chelsea’s last two players in defense. When dealing with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Minamino did not immediately fire a shot, but controlled the ball so that he outwitted captain Cesar Azpilicueta before scoring.
The goal against Chelsea was Minamino’s second goal at Southampton. The player, who was loaned out in the January transfer market, scored his first goal when Southampton were beaten 2-3 to Newcastle United at St. Petersburg. James Park, 6 February.
Kurt Zouma’s header in the 39th minute after taking advantage of Marcos Alonso’s free kick was pushed over by goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. Chelsea’s attempt to score a goal failed again.
Chelsea was only able to equalize in the 54th minute through Mason Mount’s penalty. The penalty was awarded to the Blues after Danny Ings violated Mount. Mason Mount’s kick to the left of the net outwitted McCarthy who moved to the right.
Jannik Vestergaard’s header in the 71st minute hit the bar. The golden opportunity began with Nathan Redmond’s cross from the left side which Reece James failed to clear.
The ball then deviated towards Vestergaard who was headed straight towards the goal, but only hit the bar. Danny Ings also failed to use the rebound ball after his shot missed the target.
In the 84th minute, it was Reece James’ turn to waste a golden opportunity for Chelsea to turn ahead. Mount successfully provides a mature pass from the left side. However, James, who was not in the Southampton player’s tight guard, failed to execute the opportunity nicely after his shot flew over the hosts’ goal.
Chelsea continued to pound the Southampton defense in the dying minutes through Mason Mount from the left. However, Mount’s chances did not end in goals. Without additional goals, Southampton and Chelsea must be willing to share the numbers 1-1.
