James Ward-Prowse Closes In On EPL Free-Kick Record With Fine Winning Goal Against Chelsea

James Ward-Prowse scored direct from a free-kick for the 17th time in his Premier League career when he put Southampton ahead at Chelsea. The EPL record is 18.

James Ward-Prowse scored direct from a free-kick for the 17th time in his Premier League career when he fired Southampton to a 1-0 victory at Chelsea on Saturday.

The Saints midfielder beat keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from 25 yards in first-half stoppage time after placing his shot just over Chelsea's five-man defensive wall.

Ward-Prowse is now just one more free-kick goal away from equaling the EPL record set by former Manchester United star David Beckham.

Coming for you, Becks 😏 pic.twitter.com/x6aDY3IQ6T

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 18, 2023

Beckham scored 18 free-kick goals in 265 Premier League matches for United.

It has taken Ward-Prowse 328 EPL games to score 17.

Gianfranco Zola, Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo are joint-third on the EPL's all-time list of players with most free-kick goals, having scored 12 each.

James Ward-Prowse pictured taking a free-kick during Southampton's EPL game at Chelsea :: IMAGO/Pro Sports Images/Nigel Keene

Southampton's victory at Stamford Bridge was not enough to see them move off the bottom of the Premier League table.

But the Saints are now just three points from safety.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have now failed to score in four of their last five games.

The Blues have played 10 matches in 2023, winning just once and scoring only four goals in the process.

Highlights: Chelsea 0-1 Southampton