Chelsea lost to the bottom team of the English Premier League

Returning from the 0-1 loss to Dortmund in Germany, it seemed that Chelsea would easily pocket three points at St Mary's. However, James Ward-Prowse's super free kick in the first half of injury time made the visitors hate it. This is the fourth round in a row Chelsea have not won but the first defeat. If you include the defeat to Dortmund, there have been five matches that Potter and his students did not know the smell of victory.

Southampton doesn't even have an official coach after sacking Nathan Jones. But interim coach Ruben Selles will make everyone remember him with this feat. Holding the ball only 39%, launched 13 shots compared to 22 of the opponent, but Southampton stood up to the pressure from the opponent, especially in the second half and knew how to seize the opportunity.

Kamal-Deen Sulemana's escape phase, facing but not winning against Kepa Arrizabalaga at the beginning of the game, soon signaled turmoil for Chelsea. The visitors once again escaped defeat when Paul Onuachu headed off the post. However, from the 10th minute onwards, the game began to be under Chelsea's control.

Noni Madueke stretched but was caught by goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, and then Cesar Azpilicueta missed the post. Chelsea continuously stuffed the ball into the Southampton penalty area, but they all encountered a sturdy block. In this match, Potter ranked rookie David Datro Fofana as a plug and the 20-year-old striker proved too immature before the host defenders.

The surprise happened in the first minute of injury time of the first half. Southampton is awarded a penalty from a distance of 25m, to the left. This is Ward-Prowse's forte and the Southampton captain once again proves the danger of one of the best free kicks in the Premier League at the moment. He sent the ball over the fence and then swirled towards the post near David Beckham style, not giving Kepa a chance to reach out.

Fofana left the field after the break, making way for Raheem Sterling. Then came Kai Havertz and Mykhailo Mudryk joined. But the ungodly clinging to the away team's strikers. Mason Mount missed a header in a favorable position while Sterling made two footings in the box but was blocked by the Southampton defender. Most significantly, in three minutes, Sterling hit twice from close range and Bazunu was completely defeated, but Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Romain Perraud covered their teammates.

Attacking a lot without scoring, Chelsea almost tasted bitter fruit if Kepa did not close the corner of Adam Armstrong's finish. After this situation, the match was paused for more than 10 minutes for the doctors to enter the field to take care of Cesar Azpilicueta. The Chelsea captain could not get up after receiving the full kick of Sekou Mara.

This incident caused the match to be overtime for 12 minutes. But that is still not enough time for Chelsea to score. Bazunu's excellence and a bit of bad luck caused Potter's teachers and students to leave empty-handed. The 47-year-old military leader expressed regret when Mudryk missed two consecutive opportunities in the last minutes. Chelsea have won only two of the last 14 matches under his direction.

In front of Chelsea is the London derby against Tottenham on February 26. After that, they met Leeds and then played Dortmund again. Thanks to this victory, Southampton closed the gap with the 19th team Leeds to one point. They will meet this same relegation competitor in the next round on February 25.