Chelsea lost at home to Southampton on Saturday, but after the game at Stamford Bridge, attention was mainly focused on the situation of César Azpilicueta. The Spaniard later regained consciousness, according to Chelsea manager Graham Potter.
Ward-Prowse is currently the free kick specialist in the Premier League. So it was code red for Chelsea when the ball came to rest about twenty yards from Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goal at the start of extra time in the first half. Ward-Prowse performed his perfected routine and curled the ball over the wall with great momentum. The beautiful shot ended in the left corner, out of Kepa’s reach. For Ward-Prowse, the 0-1 at Chelsea was already his seventeenth Premier League goal from a direct free kick. Only David Beckham has struck that way in the English league more often. The Manchester United legend is the record holder with eighteen hits from a free kick. The goal was a fitting conclusion to another disappointing first half for Chelsea.
Azpilicueta incident
Azpilicueta was kicked in the face shortly before time by Southampton substitute Sekou Mara, who tried to make a bicycle kick. The Chelsea defender then remained motionless on the field, after which medical assistance was immediately requested by the rushed players. After a long treatment, Azpilicueta left the field on a stretcher.
Potter gave an update on the routine’s situation after the game: “César has regained consciousness, he is now in hospital. We are very concerned about him, but in hospital he is in the best place for now,” the Chelsea manager told Sky Sports.
“It was a terrible incident. I think he was even unconscious at one point. It was a shock for everyone,” said Potter, who has ended up in a deep sporting crisis with Chelsea. The Blues have only won one official game this calendar year and are tenth in the Premier League.
“Our first half was really below average, but after the break we kept Southampton under pressure. James Ward-Prowse killed us with his free kick. In this he is a master. Southampton also managed to disrupt our game well. We have to deal better with the opportunities, I take responsibility for that. I just can’t believe we didn’t score given all the chances,” said Potter, who lost to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
