Werner overcomes VAR setback to fire Chelsea past 10-man Saints

Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell both struck late as Chelsea overcame 10-man Southampton 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in a game shrouded in VAR controversy.

Trevoh Chalobah headed in an early opener for the hosts (9) and Thomas Tuchel’s men thought they had doubled their lead when Werner’s header was ruled out by VAR for a foul from Cesar Azpilicueta on Kyle Walker-Peters in the build-up.

Southampton took full advantage of their reprieve as a foul by Ben Chilwell on Tino Livramento inside the box allowed James Ward-Prowse to level (61) but the Saints captain then saw red for a late challenge on Jorginho, upgraded to a red following VAR review.

It proved a turning point as Werner met Azpilicueta’s cross to restore Chelsea’s lead (84), and Chilwell added a third five minutes later to ensure Tuchel’s men returned to winning ways – and top of the Premier League table ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

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