By Alex Roberts
Final Friday on the AMEX, Cameron Archer had his objective chalked off after teammate Adam Armstrong was deemed to have influenced play whereas in an offside place. Not solely did it rob Russell Martin’s aspect of a precious three factors, however a Southampton win would even have impacted the hole between Chelsea and Brighton on the high finish of the desk.
Because it was, Chelsea’s win over Aston Villa on Sunday was arguably their greatest efficiency of the season thus far, with star man Cole Palmer as soon as once more stealing the present, retaining his aspect inside touching distance of Liverpool, regardless of Enzo Maresca’s insistence that the Blues aren’t within the title race.
How for much longer can Russell Martin final?
With simply 5 factors from their opening 13 Premier League video games, the writing is already beginning to seem on the wall for Southampton. Very like Burnley final season, Martin’s insistence on sticking with the fashion that obtained them promoted has seen them wrestle within the top-flight.
Not solely are they leaking targets, however the Saints additionally maintain the worst attacking file within the league, scoring simply 10 targets – underperforming their xG by 4.40 – regardless of creating extra huge possibilities than Everton, Leicester Metropolis, and Wolves.
One thing drastic goes to must occur for Southampton to remain within the Premier League come the top of the season. If outcomes maintain going this manner, Martin is both going to get sacked or, like Vincent Kompany, someway find yourself as the subsequent boss of Bayern Munich!
Nicolas Jackson… You might be for reeeeal
Whisper it quietly, however Nicolas Jackson is excellent at soccer. Eleven objective contributions thus far this season has him within the league’s high 5, behind Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, and Erling Haaland.
Jackson has cemented his standing as a ahead with elite potential, constructing on all the things that made his sport particular final season and including a newfound means to complete his possibilities. Sure, there have been some obtrusive misses, notably one in opposition to Brighton, however he’s overperforming his xG + xA by 3.40.
Requires Maresca to begin Christopher Nkunku over Jackson have now died down. The Senegal worldwide has put a marker down as Chelsea’s greatest striker.
Tyler Dibling will probably be missed
Harking back to Jack Grealish earlier than Pep Guardiola obtained his arms on him, with the lengthy hair and low socks, 18-year-old Dibling is having a break-out season at Southampton, impressing in opposition to Brighton and operating the present in opposition to Liverpool.
Versatile sufficient to play wherever from central midfield to right-wing, Martin has primarily deployed him within the centre of the park, bagging his first and solely Premier League objective within the 1-1 draw with Ipswich.
Nevertheless, he’s suspended for this fixture, as are Flynn Downes, their goalscorer at Brighton, and centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis. All three have impressed thus far this season and their absence will little doubt be giving Martin some choice complications.
Prediction
Nothing in soccer is ever a foregone conclusion but it surely’s laborious to look past Chelsea for this one. Southampton gave Liverpool sport and have been unfortunate in opposition to Brighton, however we’re gonna go together with 2-0 to Chelsea.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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