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Chelsea set impressive Premier League record in Southampton thrashing
Chelsea delivered a historic performance at St. Mary’s Stadium, dismantling Southampton 5-1 in a dominant display that saw them record the highest expected goals (xG) tally for an away team in Premier League history. Their 5.1 xG surpassed Manchester City’s 4.6 xG set against Norwich City in 2022, cementing Chelsea’s place in the record books.
Key Highlights:
- Goalscorers: Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, and Jadon Sancho all found the net for Chelsea.
- Game-Changer: Jack Stephens’ red card for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair reduced Southampton to ten men before halftime. Chelsea capitalized on their numerical advantage to secure a comprehensive win.
- League Standing: The win propelled Chelsea to second place, seven points behind leaders Liverpool after the Reds drew 3-3 with Newcastle United.
Top 5 Away xG Performances in Premier League History:
| Position | Date | Team | Result | xG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 04/12/2024 | Chelsea | Southampton 1-5 Chelsea | 5.1 |
| 2 | 12/02/2022 | Manchester City | Norwich City 0-4 Man City | 4.6 |
| 3 | 25/10/2019 | Leicester City | Southampton 0-9 Leicester | 4.6 |
| 4 | 11/07/2020 | Leicester City | Aston Villa 1-4 Leicester | 4.6 |
| 5 | 29/09/2024 | Tottenham Hotspur | Man United 0-3 Tottenham | 4.4 |
Statistics via FBREF so results vary from Opta.
Historical Context:
- Chelsea’s Dominance: This performance reflects Chelsea’s attacking resurgence under Enzo Maresca. The team is now the league’s highest scorer with 31 goals.
- Leicester’s Notable Feats: Leicester City’s legendary 9-0 victory over Southampton remains a record-breaking game, though it was matched in xG by their win against Aston Villa a year later.
- Spurs Connection: Chelsea’s next match is against Tottenham, a side they’ve already bested in key moments recently, including a memorable 4-1 win last season.
Chelsea’s clash with Spurs will test their momentum, but this incredible performance will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they aim to challenge Liverpool for the title.