Chelsea dominates Southampton with a 5-1 win, solidifying second place in Premier League.

Chelsea closed the gap to seven points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with a convincing 5-1 victory over last-placed Southampton. The match saw Southampton captain Jack Stephens receive a red card for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair, adding to their woes.

The Blues made seven changes for the trip to St Mary's and still produced a fine attacking display that will only increase talk of a potential title challenge this season as they moved second.

Three players brought in - Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke - all scored in the first half.

Disasi's seventh-minute header was, however, quickly cancelled out just four minutes later as Joe Aribo swept home past Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who made his Premier League debut.

But Southampton's mistake-laden season continued as goalkeeper Joe Lumley's sloppy pass was cut out by Madueke who set up Nkunku to roll into an empty net in the 17th minute - a ninth Saints error leading to a goal in the Premier League this season.

Madueke then curled in a third in the 34th minute before Saints' night went from bad to worse five minutes later as skipper Stephens pulled Cucurella's hair at a Saints corner and was sent off for violent conduct following a VAR review at the pitchside monitor.

Chelsea then completely dominated proceedings and finally added a fourth through Cole Palmer's 77th-minute tap-in.

Substitute Jadon Sancho added a late fifth for his first Chelsea goal as Enzo Maresca's side made it seven games unbeaten in all competitions and next go to London rivals Tottenham on Sunday, live on .

Southampton, meanwhile, are now seven points adrift from safety.

Story of the match in stats

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