Chelsea led Liverpool by two points at the Premier League summit, with James Ward-Prouss cancelling Trevo Chaloba's opener before seeing the red; Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell strike late to secure a crucial victory
Both Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell played late as Chelsea beat 10-man Southampton 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, a match shrouded in VAR controversy.
Trevo Chaloba took the lead for the hosts (9) and Thomas Tucher's men believed their lead doubled when Werner's header was ruled out by VAR due to césar Azpilicueta's foul on Kyle Walker Peters in the assembly.
Southampton made the most of their probation as Ben Chilvey's foul on Tino Livernto in the penalty area lifted James Ward-Prouss to level 61, but the Saints captain then saw red for a late challenge against Giogenho, upgraded to red after a VAR review.
It proved to be a turning point as Werner met Azpilicueta's cross to restore Chelsea's lead (84), while Chilwell added another third five minutes later to ensure Tuchel's side were back on the winning track – and to top the premier league ahead of Liverpool's game against Manchester City on Sunday.
James Ward-Prouss' offside was a turning point
How VAR became Chelsea's friend
Chelsea were brought back to play after losing to Juventus in midweek, adding to the disappointment of last weekend's first Premier League defeat at home to Manchester City.
Tuchel revealed in his programme notes that he expected the match against Southampton to be a "super intense game" and was still seeking their premier League win this season, but Chelsea looked brand new in the opening stages, with the help of five changes.
One of them, Callum Hudson-Odoi, was particularly impressed, but it was through familiar sources that the hosts nearly broke the deadlock in five minutes. Azpilicueta fed Romelu Lukaku – who scored nine goals in his previous 12 Premier League games against Southampton – but his efforts were stifled by James McCarthy.
Chaloba gave Chelsea an early lead
However, Chelsea did not wait long for their opener. What disappointed Ralph Hasenhuttle was the way he scored. One of Chilwell's corners, flicked by Ruben Loftus-Cheek at the start of his first Premier League of the season, while Chaloba was home without markings on the far post.
It was the Saints' first goal conceded in any league first half of the season, and it was from the other corner that they almost scored on goal. Chivale became the provider again, but this time Antonio Rudiger stood up.
Southampton have failed to score in five of their previous eight league games, including the last three in a row, but they nearly ended their drought when Ward Prouss fired in the middle of the first game. halfway.
Chivale continued to take every opportunity to push forward as his concessions with Mateo Kovacic led McCarthy to block the left-back's low-post attack with his foot.
Cesar Azpilicueta vs. Martin Atkinson
Southampton maintained a threat on the counter and when Theo Walcott's close-range cross from Walker-Peters headed the ball, Hasson Huttel looked disgusted.
When controversy comes, it's a blunder that really should be punished before the break. Werner has been Chelsea's way out, believing he finally celebrated his first Premier League goal of the season four minutes before the game break.
By then, Lukaku had seen his shot being ruled out by Rudiger's pass offside, but when Werner got up to bring home Hudson-Odoi's cross, there seemed to be no obvious reason to rule it out.
Until VAR Mike Dean stepped in. Referee Martin Atkinson was called to his sideline monitor and, after a brief consultation, agreed with Dean that Azpilicueta had fouled Walker Peters before scoring.
Werner spoke with referee Martin Atkinson after seeing his goal not given after a VAR check
It was a mild decision that infuriated Tuchel so much that the Chelsea manager was yellow carded for his troubles. Instead, the incident sparked enthusiasm in Southampton, who brought in Ibrahimadialo for Wolcott at half-time.
Werner looked out of a sense of injustice when he tested McCarthy's gloves within five minutes of the restart, but Hasson Hutell's man grew up in the game and was awarded a penalty that Chelsea fans barely complained about.
When Liveranto pushed the ball away from him in the penalty area to make contact, Chivel was caught off guard. Atkinson pointed to that position and Ward-Prouss completed the rest of the game from 12 yards, sending Edward Mendy in the wrong direction.
Tuchel had seen enough, summoning Mason Mount from the bench, and he was annoyed that the game seemed to slip off his players, but Chelsea regained control of the game with the help of the next VAR intervention.
After McCarthy once again brilliantly rejected Werner, Ward Prouss infiltrated Giogenio at a time when Chelsea were hoping to strike from the back. Atkinson initially showed a yellow card, but the challenge escalated to red after VAR Dean called him to check on the incident.
Thomas Tuchel showed his relief full-time
It was Southampton's turn to feel aggrieved and their anger would intensify when Werner regained Chelsea's lead. Azpilicueta was spotted in the lower right by substitute Ross Barkley, who made a vigilant surprise attack when his first pass crossed the goal.
The roof fell from Stamford Bridge, and all of Werner's Chelsea loyalists felt relieved. Chilwell still has time to add luster to a grueling victory.
Lukaku really should have scored on his own when he somehow hit the upright from Mount's cross, while Azpilicueta hit the crossbar on the goal frame. But when Chilwell stabilized his body and volleyed past McCarthy, the ball was friendly to him, even though he did his best to stop the ball from crossing the line.
< H1 class = "pgc-h-arrow-right" > player of the year: Timo Werner</h1>
Werner knelt down to celebrate Chelsea's second goal
Since coming to Stamford Bridge last summer, people really feel bad luck has been with Werner, who has now seen 16 extraordinary goals that were banned for some reason. This was given to Tuchel after his most recent run-in with VAR.
The Chelsea boss said: "We have a feeling that every time he scores, there is a VAR that decides to take it away from him. "They're all very narrow decisions. He has to keep going and he can still improve his game. He still has a lot to improve, but we're all happy he scored late because it's so important to ensure victory. He was where he needed to go. ”
Werner's efforts paid off. Here, he has more shots than any of his teammates (6), including 4 hits to targets. No player has won more fouls than he has 3 fouls. Others have most likely accepted that today won't be their day, but the much-maligned striker has made sure he'll leave with a smile on his face.
Ben Chierwell drove Chelsea's third game
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said of Ross Barkley: "Rose was in a very good situation at Juventus when he passed the ball to Romelu when we could have equalised and it was our best chance of the game. On top of that, Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] and Rose didn't feel the pressure at the moment, but they felt support.
"Six weeks ago, they probably didn't think they were going to get playing time, but they could help us. They have a completely positive spirit. In the last two games we have lost and it feels like something is missing. We decided to have Ruben on the pitch. "They're aware of the high pressure in midfield. We want them to be able to show how they perform in training. “
"They were all decisive in pre-season and even in our first game against Villarreal in the Super Cup, Kay passed the ball to let Hakim score, but they have lost a little bit of confidence and confidence. No one has big concerns, but we have to "pay attention to the state." We have to win games and we feel we need to mix players who are used to our style of play and quick decisions. At a club like Chelsea, you need to be sharp every three days. ”
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttle: "Our plan is to be a tough opponent in the game against the Champions League winner. We played a brave game, especially in the second half. In the first half we were very open and adventurous. But we're more robust and recovering well. But the red card kills everything because the rest is good for us.
"I know when Mike Dean is on VAR, I think he'll look at it. But I don't want to say either way – I haven't seen it yet. Maybe he's a little late. It Prosi wasn't that smart. Maybe a yellow card will do.
"He's captain so he knows he didn't help us today, but there's no reason to be angry about it. We performed well, but unfortunately we couldn't finalize it.
"Why should we change? I think our style is good looking. I don't like to park in games against strong teams. I like the way we oppress. When we lose, I want to lose in the way we play.
"Losing is never a good thing, but I have to congratulate everyone in the stadium because everyone saw a good game. Against the Champions League winner, that's how I love seeing my team play. If I had to make a decision before the game, I would do it again. ”
Trevo Chaloba celebrated after scoring a goal
Since Thomas Tuccell's inaugural game at Chelsea in charge in January last season, the Blues have earned more home points in the Premier League than any other team (27 points in 14 games).
Southampton have only won any of their first seven games in the top flight for only the third time, as did the 1996–97 and 1998–99 seasons.
Chelsea have scored more goals in the first half of the Premier League this season (7), while Trevo Chaloba's opening game was Southampton's first first league first-half game of the season.
Of Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prous's 32 Premier League goals, 59% came from direct free kicks (10) or penalties (9), and among players with more than 30 goals in the game, only Leiden Baines (81%) and Mark Noble (63%) had a higher proportion.
James Ward-Prouss is the fourth Southampton player to score both points and receive a red card in the same Premier League game, after Pierre-Emile Hoybijog against Manchester City in 2018, Sadio Manet against Liverpool in 2015 and Crouch against Crystal Palace in 2005.
Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek assisted in a Premier League goal for the first time since playing against Crystal Palace in July 2020 and at Stamford Bridge since against West Ham United in April 2019. This ended the midfielder's 35 Premier League appearances without scheduling his teammates to score.