Overview

Another day, another frustrating result. A breathtaking opening 35 minutes was followed by lethargy and nervousness. What should have been a memorable day — Werner and Havertz scoring this first league goals and Ziyech making his Chelsea debut — turned into another outcome that will be looked at with regret.

Chelsea started phenomenally well, playing at a completely different level to Southampton, and cut them open with ease to score the opening two goals. Zouma had the chance to make it three and only an excellent save from McCarthy ensured otherwise.

However, Havertz, who until then had a perfectly fine game, lost the ball in midfield and Southampton cut open Chelsea with ease to find Ings free in the box. All said, Chelsea were still perhaps the happier team to go into half-time.

A miscommunication between Zouma and Kepa resulted in Southampton receiving another gilt edged opportunity to level things, a chance they took after some pinball in the box. Zouma’s pass was not good by any stretch and the less said about Kepa’s effort, the better.

Some wonderful attacking play involving Pulisic, Werner and Havertz resulted in Chelsea regaining the lead, and that was followed by a miss from Havertz that would’ve doubled his tally and the lead. However, after that point Chelsea ceded control of the game and while Southampton grabbed a very late equalizer, it was by no means undeserved.

Overall, there was no clear-cut blame to assign. Kepa was terrible, so was our defensive organization at times, but Chelsea created enough chances to win. The issue lies in the maturity of the team, something that was said after the West Brom result, too.

No coach can make a team more mature overnight but what they can do is make the team more pragmatic in order to seal results. That is perhaps what Lampard needs to do, too. Reigning the team back a bit might make Chelsea less “fun” to watch but will also ensure that we are not caught square as often as we are now. Surely, that’s a trade-off worth making at this point.

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Statistics

Stats from fbref and understat.

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Individual ratings

Frank Lampard

Chelsea’s naiveté was exposed once again by an energetic and ruthless opponent. At 2-0 and 3-2 up, there was no need to be as attacking as the team was. Attacking with the front four, the two full backs and the two midfielders is overkill at best and absolute lunacy at worst.

In terms of team selection, picking Kepa invited its own pressure and as bad as this is to say, it was no surprise to see him make a mistake. Mount’s selection was pretty difficult to explain too, considering his recent work-load and the position he played in. While he would have been a solid inclusion as a midfielder, playing him as a left winger was a surprise.

It is hardly panic stations yet but Lampard’s recent decision-making has been puzzling to say the least. He needs to improve, and improve soon. No one will know it more than him too.

RATING: 6

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Photo by MATTHEW CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Kepa Arrizabalaga

He started the game well, making a save, but got beaten by Ings too easily for the first goal. He was caught in no man’s land and while 1v1s favor the striker, he could have done better to at least make the chance a little tougher.

Should have done a lot better for the second goal and was more at fault than Zouma was. Bad back passes are common and have to be dealt with far better.

RATING: 4

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César Azpilicueta

Had a performance that was neither decisive nor damaging. As a senior player, he could have perhaps done better to slow down the game when it was getting too hectic. Was reasonably solid defensively but did not contribute in final third.

Stats of note
8 progressive passes - 2nd
5 passes into final third - 2nd

RATING: 5.5

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Andreas Christensen

Partially culpable for Ings’ opener due to his failure to track his runner. It was in many ways the kind of display from Christensen we have become accustomed to seeing: solid in parts but a letdown in crucial moments.

Stats of note
2 tackles won (out of 2) - Joint 1st
4 clearances - 2nd

RATING: 5.5

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Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Kurt Zouma

Was utterly dominant in the air but got involved in Southampton’s second goal. His back-pass was poorly executed and put Kepa in trouble. While the rest of his display was passably good, a mistake that big means his rating takes a massive hit. And he did not cover himself in glory for the first goal either.

His body-language with Kepa around makes for interesting viewing too, with the two displaying zero signs that they trust each other.

Stats of note
9 aerial duels won (out of 9) - 1st
8 clearances - 1st
19 loose-ball recoveries - 1st
3 passes into final third - Joint 3rd

RATING: 6.5

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Ben Chilwell

Another terrific display from Chelsea’s new signing, with his energy and quality on the ball standing out at every opportunity. His delivery and ability to link with attacking players has added a new dimension to the way Chelsea attack. Now it is a question of staying fit and replicating these performances on a weekly basis.

Stats of note
1 assist
6 shot creating actions - 1st
10 passes into the final third - 1st
9 progressive passes - 1st
4 key passes - 1st
4 passes into the penalty box - 2nd
17 loose-ball recoveries - 2nd
4 aerial duels won (out of 4) - 2nd
3 clearances - 3rd

RATING: 8

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Jorginho

Played a terrific pass for Werner’s second goal and looked solid spreading the ball quickly. His speed of passing has certainly improved of late. However, he can do better in reading the ball and avoiding situations where he has over-committed to winning the ball back.

Stats of note
1 assist (depends on whether you classify his pass as one of course)
2 tackles won (out of 5) - Joint 1st
21 pressures - 1st
2 interceptions - 2nd
3 passes into final third - Joint 3rd
7 progressive passes - Joint 3rd

RATING: 6.5

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Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

N’Golo Kanté

Started the first half poorly, especially in terms of distribution. Seems to have slowed down a notch too, although this could possibly be due to the injury/fatigue he suffered while he was on international duty. Recovered in the second half but was still a fair bit away from his best.

Stats of note
3 interceptions - 1st
3 aerial duels won (out of 5) - 3rd

RATING: 5

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Christian Pulisic

Started brightly before his lack of match fitness eventually took its toll, resulting in him fading out of the game. Looked comfortable on the right, especially while taking part in combination play.

Stats of note
5 touches in the penalty box - Joint 2nd
3 shot-creating actions - 3rd
2 shots - 3rd

RATING: 5.5

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Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Kai Havertz

Another game where he conducted Chelsea’s final third play. His quality on the ball and movement shines through particularly in and around the box. Got himself his first league goal but he will be aware that he needs to do better to prevent situations like the one that led to the first goal. As with Zouma, the isolated incident brings down his overall rating by a notch.

Stats of note
1 goal
5 passes into the penalty box - 1st
3 shots - Joint 1st
20 pressures - 2nd
5 touches in the penalty box - Joint 2nd
7 progressive passes - Joint 3rd

RATING: 6.5

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Mason Mount

Was not at his best, although playing out of position and fatigue certainly had a part to play. He started the game in a withdrawn midfield position and looked right at home before eventually drifting to the flanks. This was accompanied by a drop in his performance.

Having played two games in quick succession for England, there was little reason to push him into making another start. Sooner or later Lampard will have to realize that Mount needs to be handled with care too.

Stats of note
7 touches in the penalty box - Joint 1st
2 key passes - 2nd

RATING: 5.5

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Photo by Ben Stansall - Pool/Getty Images

Timo Werner

Undoubtedly his best performance for Chelsea so far. His speed of feet and thought was superb for both goals, ruthlessly exploiting the lack of pace in Southampton’s centre-backs. He did well to create Havertz’s goal too. While his lack of strength was highlighted at times, he has plenty of reasons to be pleased about his performance.

Stats of note
2 goals
1 assist
7 touches in the penalty box - Joint 1st
3 shots - Joint 1st
4 shot-creating actions - 2nd

RATING: 8

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SUBSTITUTES

Hakim Ziyech (72th minute) - Made his long-awaited debut and displayed all the rustiness one would expect from a player who has not played a game for over six months. The vision to spot dangerous passes was there, the execution will come soon.

Reece James (87th minute) - Was brought on to stabilize the midfield and did a fairly good job.

Tammy Abraham (90th minute) - Nothing of note.