In a post-match analysis following Southampton’s heavy defeat to Chelsea, manager Russell Martin identified midfielder Joe Aribo as one of the few bright spots for his team.
The match, held on Wednesday, saw Joe Aribo provide a glimmer of hope for the hosts when he equalized early in the first half, canceling out Axel Disasi’s opening goal for Chelsea.
This strike marked Aribo’s second goal of the league season, with his first having come in a match against Leicester City on October 19. Although Southampton initially managed to level the score, the Blues quickly regained control and dominated the remainder of the game, ultimately scoring four more goals to secure a convincing victory and leave Southampton reeling from yet another defeat.
In his reflections after the match, Martin expressed gratitude for the performances of several players, particularly those who had not featured prominently in recent weeks. He highlighted Nathan Wood, who made an impressive debut, alongside James Bree, who stepped into the team effectively. “Both were excellent and showed a lot of character,” Martin noted.
Regarding Aribo, Martin praised his contributions to the match, stating, “Joe Aribo was the same; he really stepped up. Those players who came in and hadn’t seen much action lately were outstanding, and I’m genuinely proud of them for rising to the occasion.”