Chelsea leave Southampton in the Cup: late strikes settle a 3-1 tie

Could Southampton make Chelsea pay for their waste, or would the holders of English football’s grandest habits find a way through?

Nacho Valera put Chelsea ahead from the penalty spot on 13 minutes, his low effort tucked near a post. Southampton had spent much of the opening half defending, but Carmine Baldini restored parity just before the break, sending a high finish just under the bar and near a post. Chelsea had the greater volume of chances; Southampton had the score they wanted at half-time.

The visitors’ task became harder after the interval. Pablo Gaona was sent off on 45+3 minutes, and Chelsea kept asking questions of a defence already under pressure. Vasile Moldovan made ten saves for Southampton, three of them tipped over or round the post and four parried. The resistance was substantial, but it could not last.

Pablo Ferrer, introduced in the 76th minute, restored Chelsea’s lead on 83 minutes with a shot at mid height. Ken Myers settled it three minutes later, driving a shot along the ground from outside the box. The goal completed a decisive evening for Myers, who also supplied an assist and was named man of the match.

Chelsea finished with 27 shots to Southampton’s four and 13 on target to their opponents’ two. Southampton’s possession advantage offered little comfort against that imbalance. Their difficulties deepened before the red card: Luke Magee and Cole Pierrepont both went off injured in the first half, while Jorge Ávila came on and later assisted.

This time they have avoided another stumble, even if Southampton made them wait. The Blues turn to Everton in the English Premier Division on 5 April; first, they can savour a Cup tie finally put beyond doubt.