Ward-Prowse: It's a massive turning point
James Ward-Prowse hailed a positive team performance at Stamford Bridge as Southampton claimed a vital three points over Chelsea in the Premier League.
The captain was eager to first send his well wishes to César Azpilicueta, who picked up a serious head injury late on in the second half of the contest.
“I think more importantly we want to send out best wishes to César Azpilicueta. I think in that moment football becomes irrelevant and it’s all about his health.
“Sékou unfortunately went for the sublime and unfortunately caught him in a bad way. Football is irrelevant in that moment and we hope he has a speedy recover.”
Despite a tough week for the squad, Ward-Prowse was pleased with the performance his side were able to deliver on Saturday.
“We’re really pleased. It’s been a tough week. There’s been a lot of outside noise, a bit of chaos around the place but Rubén has come in and shown a bit of calmness and great leadership in that moment and settled everyone down and given everybody confidence in a familiar way of playing.
“I think you can see that belief from minute one. There was a game there to be had, you could feel that in the stadium and thankfully a huge win.
“It’s a familiar way of playing for us. We want to be front footed and take the game to teams, especially if Chelsea themselves aren’t in a great moment.
“A really positive result and one that we deserved. We rode our luck at times but you’ve got to do that. We’ve not had the greatest of luck lately but it was with us today.”
It was the captain himself that provided the only goal in the contest, one we’ve become so accustomed to seeing over the years.
“I was relying on my ability and the good work I’ve done in the week on the training pitch. Every week, to be there practicing and for them to come off at the weekend validates all of that hard work.
“More importantly they contribute to team goals and team wins and that’s the most important thing.
“I think it’s been a disappointing theme for us where we’ve gone into half time with the lead and then we’ve dropped back and been a bit scared of what’s to come.
“I felt as though we were front footed, we obviously knew they were going to come but to hold on to the lead and to be solid I think speaks volumes about the steps we’ve made in the last few days."
Ward-Prowse was quick to applaud the fans for all of their efforts in joining Saints in the capital on a hugely important day in the league.
“I think that’s what football is about. There’s so many moments in games but when you see the fans travel and get behind us the way they did today and to send them home happy with a really hard fought win, that’s what football is all about.
“I’m really pleased for them. It’s not been an easy season but today is a massive turning point and a springboard hopefully for what’s to come.
“I think it’s about consistency now, that’s what separates the teams at the bottom to the teams at the top. It’s about performing consistently every week so to follow this up now with a good performance now is what we need.”
