Chelsea cruise to big win over Southampton…but Cole Palmer blanks again

Enzo Maresca watched his Chelsea side ease past relegation certs Southampton on Tuesday and brushed aside any concerns about Cole Palmer’s drought.

The Blues led 3-0 by the break at Stamford Bridge with Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill scoring.

Marc Cucurella capped a fine performance by sweeping home a fourth in the 78th minute.

England international Palmer has gone seven matches without netting but will have another prime opportunity to end that sequence when Leicester City – another of the strugglers – arrive in west London on March 9.

“We said since we start we cannot rely on Cole for every game,” said Maresca. “He has to continue to work, continue to be happy and continue to laugh they way he does.

“We are completely happy with him. It is normal to go through a moment where you struggle to score but it doesn’t matter. Just continue and you are going to score many goals.

“I’m very happy with the team’s performance. We said already that from now on every game is important. And if we get three points it’s even better.

“First of all, every game is tricky and anything can happen. We have to embrace that and we started the game in the right way. This is the worst game because everyone takes it for granted. It’s dangerous.

“The performance was there. Even the last game against Aston Villa the performance was there.”

PICTURE: ALAMY