Although Chelsea started the game brightly, hoping to continue our good form from the previous Premier League 2 victory over Nottingham Forest, it proved to be a difficult evening for the Blues.

It was Cam Bragg who sparked the quick press, spotting Romeo Akachukwu, who opened the scoring with a powerful low shot from outside the area into the bottom corner.

Just as the first half seemed to be drawing to a close, Jay Robinson added his name to the scoreline in stoppage time, beating Eddie Beach and sending Chelsea two goals down at the break.

The second half proved to be a frustrating affair for Chelsea, as Southampton pressed forward effectively and managed to hold on to their advantage, sealing a 2-0 victory. This defeat marked Chelsea's first Premier League 2 loss in 2025.

Action-packed start

This contest burst into life from the opening whistle, with Chelsea applying immediate pressure. An early connection between Donnell McNeilly and Ato Ampah set the tone, pinning Southampton back right from kick-off. Ampah, showcased his flair as he surged down the flank, effortlessly beating Max Fry before delivering a dangerous cross that skimmed across the face of goal - a clear warning for our Friday night opponents.

Harrison McMahon, wearing the captain's armband, wasted no time asserting his authority in midfield. His relentless pressure and creative intent made it seem that Chelsea was only a moment away from breaking through.

That moment nearly came when Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was called into action. Kiano Dyer’s bold, weaving run through a maze of defenders set up Shumaira Mheuka on the far side. Mheuka struck with power from a tight angle, but Bazunu’s sharp reflexes turned the effort away for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Chelsea came agonisingly close. Ampah’s pinpoint delivery found McNeilly, who rose highest to unleash a thunderous header. However, the ball bounced inches wide, giving Southampton a lucky escape.

Saints strike

The visitors soon found their rhythm. Striker Baylee Dipepa pressed high, but defenders Zak Sturge and Harrison Murray-Campbell stood firm, making it difficult for the visitors to trouble Beach in goal.

That meant it was against the run of play when Southampton took the lead. Their captain, Bragg, initiated a swift build-up, threading a through ball to Akachukwu. With precision, Akachukwu drove towards the box and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Beach with no chance.

Chelsea responded immediately, refusing to let the set-back dampen our intensity. Ampah and McNeilly combined once again, with the winger cutting the ball back expertly to our No9. McNeilly’s powerful strike seemed destined to find the net, but a wall of Southampton bodies deflected it out of play.

End-to-end action

Beach was called upon to make a brilliant save with his feet when Robinson tested him from a tight angle at the near post, but Chelsea kept pushing for an equaliser before the interval.

Ampah remained at the heart of the action, tormenting Moses Sesay down the wing. One surging run saw him appear to be brought down inside the box, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals, much to the frustration of the home supporters.

Southampton nearly doubled their lead when Robinson found space again, but Beach’s safe hands denied the forward, keeping Chelsea in the contest.

Chelsea's dominance in possession and attacking intent was undeniable, but Southampton’s clinical edge proved significant. Just seconds before the break, Lewis Payne capitalised on a defensive slip-up, stealing the ball and delivering a low cross. Dipepa’s cool backheel found Robinson to smash the ball into the bottom corner. The Blues were left trailing 2-0 as the half-time whistle blew.

Drama continues

After the restart, Southampton emerged with the same aggression they had shown before the break. A long goal-kick found Sam Amo-Ameyaw, who sprinted forward into open space, leaving McMahon trailing behind. Fortunately, Beach made a bold save to deny the Saints forward from adding to the scoreline.

Southampton threatened again soon after, this time with what appeared to be a well-rehearsed set-piece. Bragg delivered a precise ball to the far post, where Joachim Kayi Sanda was ready to strike. However, his powerful effort ricocheted off the post, letting Chelsea off the hook.

Chelsea found a glimmer of hope through a moment of brilliance. Dyer drove forward, setting up Ampah on the flank. His pinpoint cross found McNeilly, who controlled the ball and created space for a shot. His powerful effort hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down, but Bazunu reacted quickly to smother it, denying Chelsea a goal.

Southampton then had their turn to curse the woodwork. Robinson, already on the scoresheet, unleashed a fierce strike that rattled the frame of the goal. Moments later, substitute Princewill Ehibhatiomhan followed up with another effort, only for the woodwork to intervene again, giving Chelsea a double reprieve.

For the fourth time during our league clash, Ampah faced disappointment as his fierce close-range effort from a tight angle smashed against the near post, keeping the score at 2-0 until the full 90 minutes and leaving Southampton to take the three points back to the South Coast.

What is next

Chelsea face a quick turnaround as we head to Wheatsheaf Park to take on Brentford in Premier League Cup action on Monday evening, knowing a win will secure our place in the knockout stages of the competition. Kick-off is at 7pm and supporters worldwide can watch the clash live on the official Chelsea app and website for free.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Eddie Beach; Brodi Hughes (Genesis Antwi 84) , Kaiden Wilson, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Zak Sturge; Harrison McMahon (c) (Landon Emenalo 70), Samuel Rak-Sakyi (Ronnie Stutter 69); Ato Ampah (Reiss Russell-Denny 84), Kiano Dyer, Shumaira Mheuka; Donnell McNeilly
Unused sub: Hudson Sands
Booked: Hughes 35, Murray-Campbell 71, McNeilly 75, Emenalo 90

Southampton (3-4-3): Gavin Bazunu, Lewis Payne, Max Fry, Jayden Moore, Joachim Kayi Sanda, Cam Bragg (c), Jay Robinson, Romeo Akachukwu, Baylee Dipepa (Princewill Ehibhatiomhan 67), Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Moses Sesay
Unused subs: Sam Thomas, Josh McNamara, Brandon Charles, Rory Macleod
Scorers: Akachukwu 23, Robinson 45+4
Booked: Robinson 51, Bragg 64, Akachukwu 80, Kayi Sanda 83