A VITAL WIN TO BANISH THE BLUES

Enzo Maresca admitted he was relieved after Chelsea climbed to fourth place in the English Premier League with a 4-0 rout of woeful Southampton on Feb 25.

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The Blues got back on track after three successive defeats in all competitions with a dominant display at Stamford Bridge.

Christopher Nkunku put the home side ahead and Pedro Neto doubled their lead before Levi Colwill bagged the third just before the break.

Marc Cucurella then capped Chelsea's biggest league win since thrashing Southampton 5-1 in early December.

Pointed questions were being asked about Maresca after Chelsea were beaten 2-1 at Aston Villa last weekend, a limp performance that followed successive losses to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League and FA Cup.

"We all needed that. We were in a bad run in terms of results. But the performance was always there, maybe except against Brighton. We are happy," the manager said.

"This month and half has been when I have pushed players even more to believe in the process.

"It's normal to go through some bad moments. It's about how we react and how we continue to believe in what we do. The players are fantastic and worked hard every day."