Super Eagles midfielder, Joe Aribo offered a glimmer of hope for Southampton, scoring the Saints' only goal in a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea at St Mary’s on Wednesday night.
Despite his best efforts, the result left Southampton rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, with just five points from 14 games.
Aribo’s equalizer in the 11th minute briefly lifted Southampton's spirits after Axel Disasi had headed Chelsea in front just minutes earlier.
The AFCON 2023 silver medalist pounced on a loose ball in the box, finishing expertly with his left foot. It marked his second league goal of the campaign, having previously scored against Leicester City on matchday eight.
The former Glasgow Rangers man remained a focal point in Southampton’s attack throughout the match, showcasing his creativity and composure. His link-up play nearly produced a second goal for the Saints when he orchestrated a move that ended with Mateus Fernandes' effort being saved in the 59th minute.
Aribo’s performance by the numbers
Aribo completed the full 90 minutes and delivered an industrious performance, offering a rare bright spark in an otherwise disappointing evening for Southampton.
The Anglo-Nigerian midfielder was a consistent threat in front of goal, registering two shots on target and achieving an impressive expected goals (xG) value of 0.88. His composure and precision were evident in his passing, completing 36 of 42 attempts at an accuracy rate of 86%, while also contributing one key pass.
The 28-year-old showcased his creativity and ability to unlock defenses by succeeding in two of three dribble attempts and creating one big chance. His versatility in both attack and defense was notable, as he won four of six ground duels and added two clearances to his tally. However, his night was not without flaws, as he missed a significant chance, lost possession eight times, and was caught offside once during Southampton’s struggle against Chelsea's relentless pressure.
The defeat leaves Southampton rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, with just one win and 11 losses from their opening 14 games.
