By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s Super Eagles player, Joe Aribo, shone like a million star for Southampton after they came from behind to earn their second win of the English Premier League (EPL) season on matchday five at St Mary’s.
With Saints’ victory, Aribo earned top rating at the end of the drubbing encounter on Tuesday after he came in the second half.
The Nigerian international came on for ex-Manchester City star Romeo Lavia, who got the equaliser for the Saints.
Earlier, Raheem Sterling who is the Blues’ top scorer, got Thomas Tuchel’s side off to a promising start with his third goal in two games, thanks to a calm swivel and finish in the 23rd minute.
But another former Manchester City player levelled moments later, with Romeo Lavia firing a superb effort beyond Edouard Mendy after Chelsea failed to properly clear a corner.
From then on, Southampton were the better side and scored what proved to be the winner before the break, when Romain Perraud picked out Adam Armstrong and his effort deflected off Kalidou Koulibaly and into the net.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s outfit climb to seventh as a result of the deserved victory, level on seven points with Chelsea but above them on goals scored.
Tuchel was back in the dugout after his touchline ban but all he got was a closer view of another away-day to forget for his Chelsea team.
Nine days after they were overrun by relentless, all-action Leeds, Southampton did more of the same to Chelsea, extending the stop-start nature of the Londoners’ opening to this new season.
After their victory against Leicester, Southampton brought an instant halt to Chelsea’s hopes of building some momentum, in impressive fashion too.
Chelsea certainly missed the services of Reece James, injured N’Golo Kante and suspended Conor Gallagher as they may now make haste while the current transfer period lasts within 48 hours to sign a top nine striker, and any other.
