Chelsea got back to winning ways and returned to the Premier League's top four by thrashing lowly Southampton 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.

The pressure was on the Blues following three straight defeats in all competitions, but they had far too much quality for Ivan Juric's bottom side.

Christopher Nkunku got the ball rolling with a close-range header in the 24th minute, in between the out-of-form Cole Palmer squandering two decent opportunities.

Paul Onuachu worked Filip Jorgensen at the other end, then Nkunku fed Neto on the overlap to lash home for 2-0 after 36 minutes.

Levi Colwill headed Neto's deep free-kick home to make it 3-0 just before half-time, and Southampton never threatened so much as a consolation in a low-key second period.

Chelsea would add further gloss to the scoreline, though, as Marc Cucurella swept home following an assist from teenage substitute Tyrique George.

The result sees Enzo Maresca's team leapfrog Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Manchester City to go fourth, though the latter two sides are in action on Wednesday.

Southampton stay bottom with just nine points from 27 games.

Data Debrief: Chelsea's supporting cast step up

Chelsea's downturn in form had coincided with a drop-off from Palmer, with the Blues talisman making it seven straight games without a goal involvement here.

He missed two good chances in the first half before working Aaron Ramsdale with a late free-kick as his struggles continued.

But fortunately for Chelsea, their supporting cast picked up the slack.

Both Nkunku and Neto had a goal and an assist apiece. The former has now done so home and away against Southampton this season, while it is the first time Neto has ever achieved that feat in the Premier League.

Chelsea also had the luxury of bringing on George in the dying stages, and at the age of 19 years and 21 days, he became the youngest Blues player to assist a Premier League goal since Callum Hudson-Odoi against Newcastle in October 2019 (18 years, 346 days).