Chelsea's thrilling 5-1 victory over the bottom team Jack Stephens was sent off for a hair-pull on Marc Cucurella before halftime on Wednesday, allowing Southampton to cut the gap on Premier League leader Liverpool. After their 3-3 draw at Newcastle United, Chelsea moved up to second place in the rankings, seven points behind leader Liverpool and ahead of Arsenal on goal differential. Southampton is still on five points.
Axel Disasi's header gave Chelsea the lead in the seventh minute, but Joe Aribo pulled Southampton even four minutes later, and then a mistake by the custodian let Christopher Nkunku put the visitor back ahead. Even though Stephens was sent off, Chelsea's lead was increased by Noni Madueke eleven minutes before halftime. The visitor had to wait until the 76th minute for Cole Palmer to add a fourth goal, and Jadon Sancho completed the victory three minutes from the end.