December 4th 2024.
Chelsea put on a dominant performance as they thrashed Southampton in a 5-1 victory, solidifying their spot in third place in the Premier League standings. Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher confidently stated that Chelsea will finish above reigning champions Manchester City this season, as they continued their impressive streak of wins.
Many were skeptical of Chelsea's chances before the 2024-25 season began, but they have proven their doubters wrong by currently sitting in second place after 14 games. Under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, they have only suffered two losses in the league, both against top teams Manchester City and Liverpool. In fact, they have scored the most goals out of any team in the division with a total of 31.
The game started off with an equalizer from Southampton's Joe Aribo after Axel Disasi's early goal for Chelsea. However, the Blues quickly regained control and were in full command by half-time. Christopher Nkunku, who was given a rare start in the Premier League, scored to put Chelsea ahead before Noni Madueke added a third goal. Southampton's chances were further diminished when Jack Stephens was shown a red card for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair, leaving them with ten men.
After the break, Chelsea made their numerical advantage count as they went on to score two more goals, with Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho both finding the back of the net. Carragher, who was commentating on the game, couldn't help but praise Maresca's side, saying, "There we go. I'm telling you, Chelsea are going to finish above Man City. They're winning games with ease. The way they played against Arsenal, the way they played against Liverpool."
As Chelsea dominated on the field, Manchester City also picked up a win on Wednesday night against Nottingham Forest. Despite a recent dip in form, Gael Clichy, who used to play for City, remains confident in their ability to bounce back. He stated, "As long as mathematically it is not over, you cannot count Man City out of the title race. The Premier League is one of the most competitive leagues in the world and we have seen unexpected twists and turns already this season."
Clichy also reminded viewers of City's impressive track record over the past decade, with multiple titles and a treble under their belt. He believes that their current struggles do not diminish their overall success and that they have the potential to come back stronger with their key players returning from injury. "There is no perfection in football, but over the last ten years, Man City have been close. In the way that they play and the way that they have been run, City have been there," he said.
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