The Blues' place in the play-offs was already secure heading into the contest, but Mark Robinson's side produced a tireless display to overwhelm Southampton for large periods, ensure victory, and guarantee either a fourth- or fifth-place finish in the table.

It was Leo Castledine who broke the deadlock at Kingsmeadow as he swept home from inside the penalty area after poor Saints defending. Dujuan Richards then coolly added our second as he finished off an attack led by Michael Golding.

Further chances came and went for the Blues in each half – and substitute Jimmy-Jay Morgan saw a late strike ruled out for offside. But this was a fine way for the Blues to round off their regular league fixtures.

A wanted response

Robinson wanted a reaction shown after last weekend's defeat in the Premier League Cup to Fulham and the opening 45 minutes were played at a frenetic pace. Chelsea pressed high and intensely out of possession and were sharp and smart with the ball.

It ensured chances were created – the majority of them by Chelsea. The first came inside the opening minute as Golding guided a shot wide from the edge of the penalty box.

Southampton quickly responded with their first effort of the night as Sam Amo-Ameyaw drifted off the right flank and fired a shot toward the far post. Blues goalkeeper Max Merrick showed his quality to save and hold on to the shot.

Chelsea then took control and were denied the opener when Josh McNamara in the Southampton goal produced a fine one-handed save to keep out Zak Sturge’s header.

McNamara produced another excellent stop moments later to deny Castledine. Richards also had an effort saved by the Saints stopper. But the goal finally arrived with 13 minutes on the clock.

Breaking the deadlock

Diego Moreira proved the architect as his cross into the Southampton box was not dealt with, and the ball eventually fell to Castledine who swept the ball home via the post.

It was an advantage the Blues deserved and one we looked to build on. Zain Silcott-Duberry came close, Moreira too. Then came a chance for Richards.

It was fashioned by Golding, who reclaimed possession in midfield, drove forward and found the Jamaica international. Richards shifted the ball inside and back onto his stronger left foot and drilled a shot into the far corner. It was a fine finish.

The tempo of the contest didn’t drop. Southampton continued to try to build through midfield, Chelsea continued to attack swiftly and effectively when in possession.

Silcott-Duberry came close to a third – he saw a goalbound effort hacked clear – before late opportunities for Southampton's Amo-Ameyaw and Sonnie Davis, the latter forcing Merrick into another sharp stop.

The half-time interval was an opportunity for both sides to catch their breath – and it appeared to have halted Chelsea's momentum in the early minutes of the second period.

Southampton came close to pulling a goal back, first through Davis and then Jay Robinson, who forced Merrick into a good low stop down to his left.

Regaining control

It was that second scare that kickstarted the Blues' performance and a period of dominance followed.

Richards saw a shot deflected wide having been teed up by Morgan before Castledine was unfortunate not to claim his second of the evening as his close-range effort struck Jayden Meghoma on the line.

The underlapping runs of Dylan Williams caused Southampton problems throughout the half and he orchestrated another opportunity for Castledine, who was denied by McNamara.

Morgan worked hard for the Blues after his introduction and created a turnover in the Saints half that enabled Castledine another shot on goal. Once again, he could not beat McNamara.

The opportunities missed did not prove costly. The Blues defended resolutely throughout and thought we had added a third in stoppage time when another Williams burst forward ended with his cross being fired home by Morgan. Unfortunately, the offside flag was raised.

Chelsea were worthy winners, however, and we know we will either finish fourth or fourth in the Premier League 2 table. We will discover our play-off opponents next week.

The teams

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Max Merrick; Harrison Murray-Campbell, Brodi Hughes, Dylan Williams; Zain Silcott-Duberry, Michael Golding, Harrison McMahon (Shaun Wade 90), Zak Sturge; Leo Castledine (Reiss Denny 82), Diego Moreira (Jimmy-Jay Morgan 58); Dujuan Richards (Donnell McNeilly 82)
Unused sub: Luke Campbell
Scorers: Castledine 13, Richards 21
Booked: Hughes 41, Murray-Campbell 53

Southampton (4-3-3): Joshua McNamara; Sonnie Davis, Zach Awe, Nico Lawrence, Jayden Meghoma; Cameron Bragg, Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Tyler Dibling; Luke Pearce (Will Merry 84), Ussumane Djalo (Jake Vokins 72), Jay Robinson
Unused subs: Adli Mohamed, Will Armitage, Joshua Lett
Booked: Lawrence 26, Awe 81