Yahoo Sports Chelsea FC 0-1 Southampton LIVE! Ward-Prowse goal - Premier League result, match stream, latest updates today
A trademark James Ward-Prowse free kick earned basement club Southampton a precious three points at Chelsea in a scrappy 1-0 Premier League win on Saturday and piled more pressure on home coach Graham Potter.
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta brought down Stuart Armstrong just outside the area in the 45th minute and Ward-Prowse curled a free kick over the wall into the right-hand side of the net with goalkeeper Kepa left sprawling.
Azpilicueta needed nearly 10 minutes of treatment on the pitch in the second half after he received a kick to the head in a goalmouth clash. Physios from both clubs rushed to his aid and the Spaniard was eventually carried off on a stretcher.
Chelsea, who have scored only four goals in 10 games in all competitions since the start of the year, looked livelier in the second half when Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz came on and they kept the Southampton defence under pressure.
But despite spending nearly 300 million pounds ($361.05 million) in the January transfer window, the Blues still could not score against the south-coast team led by caretaker coach Ruben Selles after Nathan Jones was sacked a week ago.
Chelsea are languishing in 10th place on 31 points from 23 games and are 10 points adrift of the top four. Southampton have 18 points and are three points outside the safety zone.
Chelsea vs Southampton latest news
Chelsea player ratings
Full match report
Analysis: Can Graham Potter survive this?
Chelsea FC 0 - 1 Southampton FC
Analysis: How much longer can Graham Potter survive?
17:29 , Jonathan Gorrie
Just when Chelsea thought they reached rock bottom, they fell to another new low.
Only three points would do against a managerless Southampton team rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
James Ward-Prowse’s stunning 46th-minute free kick was the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge, leading to defeat in a must-win match.
With just one clean sheet in their last 28 matches and having lost nine of their last 10, Ruben Selles’s side won the match between two teams in crisis.
They found a way out of their problems against a side who are being ridiculed after failing to see a bounce after a record-breaking £300million January transfer window.
Read Nizaar Kinsella’s full analysis here!
Report: James Ward Prowse pours more misery on hapless Blues
17:27 , Jonathan Gorrie
Chelsea’s season sunk to a new and alarming low as they were beaten 1-0 at Stamford Bridge by the Premier League’s bottom side Southampton.
A converted free-kick from James Ward-Prowse on the stroke of half-time put the Saints’ captain one goal behind David Beckham in the competition’s all-time standings, and sent Graham Potter’s team to a fourth consecutive winless match in the league.
With five of the club’s eight January signings in the staring XI, Potter saw his team labour to find any invention against a Saints side set up by interim boss Ruben Selles to frustrate the hosts’ expensively assembled attacking cavalry. Victory in their first match since the sacking of Nathan Jones was everything they deserved.
Chelsea player ratings: Felix at his worst yet
17:13 , Jonathan Gorrie
Chelsea slipped to yet another defeat after James Ward-Prowse’s stunning free-kick allowed Southampton to overcome their own crisis and win at Stamford Bridge.
The England international produced a spectacular moment of skill in the 46th minute to close in on David Beckham’s free-kick record in the Premier League.
Raheem Sterling came closest for Chelsea after being introduced from the bench but the Blues weren’t good enough and booed off at full-time.
They are left in 10th place after 23 matches and having scored just 23 goals this season.
Nizaar Kinsella was at Stamford Bridge watching the action.
FT: Chelsea 0-1 Southampton
17:03 , Jonathan Gorrie
An awful, awful day for Chelsea.
Southampton change
16:56 , Jonathan Gorrie
90+5: An extra change for #SaintsFC, following Chelsea's six substitutions. [0-1] pic.twitter.com/X0mDv0F6CA
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 18, 2023
12 minutes added on!
16:52 , Jonathan Gorrie
90:00 min: Can Chelsea find a breakthrough?
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
16:38 , Jonathan Gorrie
Cesar Azpilicueta has taken a painful kick from Sekou Mara. It was clearly an accident but very dangerous. All four physios from both sides are looking after him and a stretcher has been called. The replay is not being shown as the injury could be serious.
Break in play
16:36 , Jonathan Gorrie
Real concern about Azpilicueta. Stretcher is called. Hope he is OK.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) February 18, 2023
OFF THE LINE!
16:32 , Jonathan Gorrie
71 mins: Lavia clears Sterling’s header off the line!!
CHANCE FOR CHELSEA!
16:30 , Jonathan Gorrie
68 mins: Sterling and Havertz combine well but Maitland-Niles blocks the former’s shot on the line.
Very little from Chelsea
16:29 , Jonathan Gorrie
67 mins: Mudryk and Havertz have come on for Mount and Madueke but absolutely nothing created.
Brilliant pressure from Southampton
16:23 , Jonathan Gorrie
60 mins: They’ve weathered the early storm in the second-half and are chasing Chelsea all over the park.
Much better from Chelsea
16:14 , Jonathan Gorrie
53 mins: Sterling has changed the game here, just seeing his shot blocked.
So much more purpose about the Blues now.
CHANCE FOR CHELSEA
16:12 , Jonathan Gorrie
51 mins: Sterling brushes Maitland-Niles off the ball with ease before crossing into the box dangerously, though it’s just over Mount’s head.
Bit more zip about Chelsea now
16:09 , Jonathan Gorrie
49 mins: The temp has certainly picked up, although Southampton are defending their box well.
Nathan Jones’ impact lives on...
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
16:07 , Jonathan Gorrie
Graham Potter makes the logical decision and brings off David Datro Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly off for Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana. Koulibaly was lucky not to get sent off in that first half and Fofana wasn’t a threat in and around the box.
Back underway!
16:07 , Jonathan Gorrie
Can Chelsea find a way back?
HT: Chelsea 0-1 Southampton
15:53 , Jonathan Gorrie
Blues booed off at the break.
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
15:50 , Jonathan Gorrie
James Ward-Prowse takes arguably the best free-kicks in the world. In that position, it feels like a penalty. Chelsea cannot even afford to draw this one, surely.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Southampton | James Ward Prowse ‘45
15:47 , Jonathan Gorrie
45 mins: Ward-Prowse hits a brilliant free-kick to give the away side the lead!
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
15:45 , Jonathan Gorrie
David Datro Fofana looks like a good player but also a bit of a rough diamond. Chelsea have switched formation and are currently playing on the left wing with Mount no10 and Felix up front
Madueke lively
15:42 , Jonathan Gorrie
41 mins: A rather tame shot from 25 yards out is easily collected but some very good work from the winger in the first-half.
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
15:39 , Jonathan Gorrie
Impressive how Southampton’s pressing has killed off central attacking areas for Chelsea, this is the quietest that Joao Felix has been and he is the one the players normally look to first to create.
Hardly a classic
15:36 , Jonathan Gorrie
34 mins: Lots of niggly fouls stopping any real flow.
Southampton, for their part, are certainly causing Chelsea problems when do they go forward.
Nice flashes of cohesion from Chelsea
15:30 , Jonathan Gorrie
27 mins: Fofana, Felix and Fernandez all look on the same page at least, with quick combinations emerging as Chelsea up the tempo.
Promising, if not totally convincing, signs.
Chelsea growing
15:20 , Jonathan Gorrie
18 mins: Fernandez and Felix with some brilliant touches in tight areas, while Madueke and Fofana look a threat. Chelsea are slowly growing into this.
Really good play from Datro Fofana
15:19 , Jonathan Gorrie
16 mins: Some of the frustrations in Kai Havertz’s ability to hold the ball up can’t be leveled at Datro Fofana today. Really composed stuff so far.
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
15:15 , Jonathan Gorrie
Nice play by Noni Madueke, he wins possession in his own half and dribbles 40 yards before having a shot saved. It lifts the crowd.Chelsea remarkably on the back foot against the bottom of the league side.
CHANCE FOR SOUTHAMPTON!
15:12 , Jonathan Gorrie
10 mins: Onuachu puts a header just wide after a wicked delivery from Ward-Prowse.
The England international and Romeo Lavia are dominating the midfield so far.
Nervy Chelsea start
15:09 , Jonathan Gorrie
07 mins: Badiashille and Chilwell very sloppy in the opening stages, while Ward-Prowse is winning most of his midfield battles.
Chelsea have hardly got out of their half.
CHANCE FOR SOUTHAMPTON!
15:05 , Jonathan Gorrie
04 mins: Armstrong’s shot is cleared off the line by Fernandez after a major mistake from Kepa!
Good hold up play from Southampton
15:05 , Jonathan Gorrie
02 mins: Onuachu does very well to hold off two Chelsea defenders and lay off to Ward-Prowse, though Chilwell stops him in his tracks.
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
15:02 , Jonathan Gorrie
Mason Mount is starting on the left as Chelsea stick to a 4-2-3-1 despite all the changes.
KICK-OFF
15:02 , Jonathan Gorrie
00 mins: We’re underway at Stamford Bridge!
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
14:57 , Jonathan Gorrie
Andrey Santos is watching at Stamford Bridge today. A chance to watch his parent club before going on loan.
Teams in the tunnel
14:56 , Jonathan Gorrie
We’re edging closer now.
A huge game for Chelsea.
Lose this - a game at home against the bottom side in the Premier League - and the pressure really would mount.
Chelsea latest
14:53 , Jonathan Gorrie
Potter says no injuries with James and Thiago Silva out but he needed to rotate.
Adding, about David Datro Fofana: "David has been training well. He’s a young forward who we think can add something for us in the box." #CFC #CHESOU— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) February 18, 2023
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
14:45 , Jonathan Gorrie
Today maybe confirms that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not in Graham Potter’s thinking. Opting for a 20-year-old striker ahead of him really puts the writing even further on the wall.
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
14:36 , Jonathan Gorrie
Graham Potter has rung the changes in after the midweek defeat to Dortmund. He was happy with the performance but not the result. He can, however, dig deep into this 30-strong squad to freshen up and gives David Datro Fofana his first start for Chelsea.
Latest odds
14:15 , Jonathan Gorrie
Betfair - Chelsea v Southampton
Chelsea to win 4/11
The draw 18/5
Southampton to win 7/2
James left OUT of Chelsea squad for Southampton clash
14:07 , Jonathan Gorrie
Reece James has been left out of the Chelsea squad who play Southampton in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge today.
The England international has only recently made his return from injury, starting the last three games for Graham Potter’s side.
A knee injury picked up in October ruled the 23-year-old out of the World Cup before James aggravated the problem upon his return to action against Bournemouth in January.
The defender, along with Thiago Silva and Hakim Ziyech, have been given rest time.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has also been overlooked for the visit of relegation-threatened Southampton despite Graham Potter’s insistence the forward remained an “important player”.
Major League Soccer side LAFC are keen to sign the former Arsenal captain as a big-name replacement for the retired Gareth Bale, although Aubameyang is believed to harbour reservations about a move to the United States at this stage in his career.
Chelsea play London rivals Tottenham next weekend before hosting Leeds and traveling to Borussia Dortmund for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at the start of March.
Confirmed Southampton lineup
14:01 , Jonathan Gorrie
Your Saints at Stamford Bridge 😇
Here’s the #SaintsFC line-up for today’s visit to #CFC! pic.twitter.com/d6A8sNDVqk— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 18, 2023
Chelsea starting lineup
14:00 , Jonathan Gorrie
The Chelsea lads! 📋@ParimatchGlobal | #CheSou pic.twitter.com/9fFSaeqlZt
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 18, 2023
Chilwell: Chelsea running out of time to make Potter’s first season a success
13:49 , Jonathan Gorrie
Ben Chilwell believes Chelsea are running out of time to save their season after defeat in the Champions League.
The Blues lost 1-0 at Borussia Dortmund after Karim Adeyemi’s devastating counter-attacking goal in the second half of the last-16 first-leg tie.
Graham Potter‘s side were wasteful, despite dominating much of last night’s match, consigning them to a run of just two wins in 13 games.
With the second leg at Stamford Bridge on March 7, Chilwell thinks it is now or never to save his club from a dismal season.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
13:42 , Jonathan Gorrie
Chelsea wins: 49
Draws: 31
Southampton wins: 32
Chelsea skipper praises Andrey Santos
13:39 , Jonathan Gorrie
Azpilicueta's programme notes: "I want to send my congratulations to Andrey Santos, one of our January signings, who won the U20 South American Championships with Brazil last week and scored six times including one in the final. Congrats Andrey!"
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) February 18, 2023
Christian Atsu: Chelsea pay tribute to former player
13:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
Everyone at Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of our former player, Christian Atsu. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 18, 2023
Juventus to sell Denis Zakaria as Chelsea consider £27m summer move for on-loan midfielder
13:22 , Jonathan Gorrie
Juventus have decided to sell Denis Zakaria at the end of his loan spell at Chelsea.
The 26-year-old joined Chelsea on deadline day in a £500,000 loan move, which included £27million option to buy and make the transfer permanent.
Chelsea have neither ruled themselves in or out of exercising their option with alternative midfield targets like Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice still on the table.
Much could depend on both Chelsea’s finances in relation to UEFA’s new Financial Sustainability Rules to replace Financial Fair Play (FFP) with the Blues already on the watchlist after spending well over £500million in the last two transfer windows.
Andrey Santos: Chelsea to send Brazil youngster on loan to Palmeiras
13:13 , Jonathan Gorrie
Andrey Santos is expected to join Palmeiras on loan until December.
The 18-year-old joined Chelsea in a £16million deal from Vasco da Gama in January but is unable to play at Stamford Bridge due to his inability to secure a work permit.
A loan to a Copa Libertadores team, the equivalent of a Champions League side in South America, will help him secure enough points to get a visa for English football.
His role as captain and join-top scorer in Brazil’s Under-20s South American Championship win was not enough to secure him employment rights in the Premier League.
However, the Blues have inserted a break clause for 1.5m euros that could see him return at the end of June.
Palmeiras are now expecting to beat Internacional and a host of other top Brazilian clubs to his signature, giving him the chance to join his new team before the season starts.
Chelsea beat PSG and Newcastle to the youngsters signature in the winter window and have high hopes for the midfielder.
Mount loyalty being tested by Chelsea to leave future far from certain
13:01 , Jonathan Gorrie
Mason Mount faces a fight to get back into Chelsea’s team while uncertainty grows around his long-term future.
The 24-year-old grew up supporting Portsmouth and is usually one of the protagonists going into a match against his childhood team’s fiercest rivals Southampton, who arrive at Stamford Bridge tomorrow afternoon.
Normally, the midfielder is the pantomime villain for the travelling away support, certain to be booed.
However, Graham Potter is now increasingly likely to leave out the Cobham graduate, who has not started the past two matches as he accommodates January signings Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez in a new system.
Graham Potter confirms Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stance amid LAFC offer
12:54 , Jonathan Gorrie
Graham Potter insists Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains an “important player” at Chelsea.
The forward was left out of the Blues’ 25-man Champions League and is struggling for game time in west London despite a recent goal drought across the team.
Aubameyang was again snubbed for his side’s 1-1 draw away at West Ham last weekend, having also been overlooked for the stalemate against Fulham.
Potter jokes Cucurella ‘is not my son’ as Chelsea boss speaks out on star’s struggles
12:49 , Jonathan Gorrie
Graham Potter accepts Marc Cucurella has become a symbol of Chelsea’s struggles but says he is not a “bad player” and can cope with the pressure.
The 24-year-old joined the Blues in a £62million deal from Brighton over the summer, before seeing his manager follow suit after the sacking of Thomas Tuchel in September.
Like Jorginho under Maurizio Sarri and Mason Mount under Frank Lampard, the Spanish international left-back has become a target of criticism partly due to his association to his manager after being reunited in west London.
Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge
12:38 , Jonathan Gorrie
Team news leaks have done Chelsea over before the match. We know that all of Reece James, Thiago Silva and Hakim Ziyech have been given a rest from the squad and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not selected again. If managerless Southampton are savvy enough, they can use that information to help their struggling team.
Prediction: Chelsea to win 2-0
12:33 , Jonathan Gorrie
This really is the perfect game for Chelsea and Potter to get back to winning ways. Southampton are bottom of the table, without a manager and well on their way to the Championship.
Results haven’t picked up for the Blues, but Joao Felix’s return has definitely lifted the side and they should be more than capable of securing a morale-boosting win.
Chelsea to win, 2-0
Southampton team news: Stuart Armstrong could start
12:33 , Jonathan Gorrie
Kyle Walker-Peters is nearing a return from a hamstring injury for Southampton, while former Chelsea player Tino Livramento remains out with an ACL injury having not played this season.
Stuart Armstrong made his return when he came off the bench against Wolves, and is pushing for his first start of 2023.
Chelsea team news: Badiashile to return
12:32 , Jonathan Gorrie
Benoit Badiashile is likely to return to the Chelsea side, after missing out on the Dortmund defeat having not been named in the Champions League squad for the knockout stages. Noni Madueke is also available again.
Ben Chilwell went off against Dortmund after a “kick on his ankle” but it is not believed to be an issue. Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante are among those still out, with Raheem Sterling available after a knee injury.
Where to watch Chelsea vs Southampton
12:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
TV channel and live stream: Due to the game taking place during the Saturday 3pm blackout on English football, it will not be broadcast live in the UK.
Live blog: You can still follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog, with Nizaar Kinsella providing expert analysis.
Welcome
12:26 , Jonathan Gorrie
Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Southampton at Stamford Bridge today.
Kick-off in west London is at 3pm GMT.
