Southampton player ratings as Cedric and Mario Lemina both get 4 in FA Cup defeat to Chelsea

Sport360 staff 19:59 22/04/2018
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  • Mario Lemina goes for goal against Chelsea

    Southampton’s hopes of reaching a second cup final in as many seasons went up in smoke as Mark Hughes’ side lost 2-0 to Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in the Emirates FA Cup.

    After stifling their opponents for the opening 45 minutes, Olivier Giroud’s goal in the first minute of the second half put the Saints up against it, before Alvaro Morata came off the bench to seal the victory for Antonio Conte’s men.

    Hughes’ side offered very little throughout, and will now turn their attention back to the Premier League relegation battle they find themselves in.

    Here are our Southampton player ratings…

    STARTING XI

    ALEX McCARTHY – 6: One of several made to look silly by Giroud for the first goal, but denied Hazard with a terrific one-handed save.

    JAN BEDNAREK – 6: Just his fifth appearance. More interceptions and clearances than any team-mate. The best defensive display for Saints.

    MAYA YOSHIDA – 5: Stunning goal-saving tackle to deny Hazard with 12 minutes gone, but did little to halt Chelsea in the second half.

    WESLEY HOEDT – 4: Unable to cope with the pace and trickery of Hazard and Willian. Terrible defending to allow Morata to make it 2-0.

    CEDRIC – 4: Left too much space between himself and Bednarek for Giroud’s goal. Shocking in possession on the rare occasions he got forward.

    RYAN BERTRAND – 5: One time he got into a good attacking position he produced an excellent cross. Defensively he couldn’t contain Willian.

    ORIOL ROMEU – 5: Had to work extremely hard to stop Hazard and Willian advancing from deep. Once booked he was up against it further.

    PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG – 5: Was expected to link the play going forward, but failed to do so as Saints continually gave away possession cheaply.

    MARIO LEMINA – 4: Couldn’t get close to his midfield counterparts. Booking meant he wasn’t able to apply pressure as Saints chased the game.

    CHARLIE AUSTIN – 5: An impossible task leading the line. No service until the 82nd minute, when he was cruelly denied a goal by the post.

    SHANE LONG – 4: Got it all wrong when one-on-one with Willy Caballero. Worked hard, as he always does, but lacked quality throughout.

    SUBSTITUTES:

    NATHAN REDMOND – 6: Provided a spark after coming on and tested Caballero with a powerful strike, but couldn’t get his side back in it.

    DUSAN TADIC – 5: Tried to add a creative link that was so desperately missing, but once Chelsea scored a second, he went missing.

    MANOLO GABBIADINI – 5: Scored twice in last season’s League Cup final, but had no time to make such an impact in this Wembley appearance.

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