Takumi Minamino Sends Azpilicueta For A Hotdog To Give Southampton The Lead

Takumi Minamino has given Southampton the lead vs Chelsea with a lovely finish – after sitting Cesar Azpilicueta down with a bit of skill.

Minamino arrived on a season-long loan from Liverpool in the transfer window and opened his account in a 3-2 loss to Newcastle.

He’s now doubled his Saints account by becoming the first opposing player to score past Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Nathan Redmond played the Japanese international through and he took it under control perfectly.

Minamino then shimmied his body to the right, ensuing Azpilicueta committed himself to the challenge.

The 26-year-old slotted goalkeeper past Edouard Mendy as cool as you like to give the home side a shock lead.

Fans have reacted to the goal and they’re enjoying Minamino’s form on the south coast.

Mendy is back in goal for Chelsea after Kepa Arrizabalaga kept two clean sheets in back-to-back games.

Tuchel explained the current goalkeeping situation for the Blues earlier this week.

“I encouraged him to see it as another opportunity and to take it as a fresh start and to see the possibilities for him in it and this is what he did,” Tuchel said in a pre-match press conference per Metro.

Image Credit: PA

“So he earned his right to play, he earned his right to play another game. He kept two clean sheets and this is the best a goalkeepers can have for his confidence.

“Of course we see that because everybody like Kepa loves to play, loves to have clean sheets.”