Chelsea v Liverpool – story of the match

Posted Monday, May 07, 2018 by PA

Chelsea boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification as Olivier Giroud’s first half header earned a 1-0 win over Liverpool.

Tottenham’s loss at West Brom on Saturday and Giroud’s fourth goal in five games, earning a win over Champions League finalists Liverpool, took Antonio Conte’s Blues two points behind their London rivals with two games to go.

The Reds have work to do to secure their place in Europe’s elite competition as an intense contest in stifling heat proved too much at the end of a week which saw Jurgen Klopp’s men advance to the Champions League final.

Tweet of the match

17 – Since 2015/16, 🇫🇷 Olivier Giroud has scored 17 headed goals in the Premier League, more than any other player from the Top 5 European leagues (ahead of 🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo, 16). Specialist. pic.twitter.com/m6Vrpt7rhS
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) May 6, 2018

Star man – Olivier Giroud

Chelsea v Liverpool – story of the match — Olivier Giroud struck again (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The Frenchman made it four goals in his last five games with a trademark header as he ends the season with a flourish.

Moment of the match

Victor Moses turned Andy Robertson inside out before lifting in the sort of cross Giroud gobbles up. And Giroud did just that.

Data point

Olivier Giroud''s 5th goal in his last six PL starts against Liverpool separates the sides#CHELIV pic.twitter.com/TPDTHaedB3
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 6, 2018

Liverpool were unbeaten in their previous six meetings with Chelsea. Victory for the Blues was their 50th top flight win over the Reds.

Let’s get ready to sprinkle

Michael Buffer gets a soaking from the sprinkler as he reads out the Chelsea team pre match pic.twitter.com/Vlzxv2veRb
— Matt McGeehan (@mattmcgeehan) May 6, 2018

Boxing announcer Michael Buffer was at Stamford Bridge to read out the teams before kick-off – and got drenched for his troubles.

Ratings

Chelsea: Thibaut Courtois 7, Cesar Azpilicueta 7, Gary Cahill 7, Antonio Rudiger 7 Victor Moses 7, N’Golo Kante 7, Tiemoue Bakayoko 6, Cesc Fabregas 6, Marcos Alonso 6, Eden Hazard 6, Olivier Giroud 7. Substitutes: Willian (for Hazard, 86) 5, Davide Zappacosta (for Moses, 89) 5.

Liverpool: Loris Karius 6, Nathaniel Clyne 5, Dejan Lovren 5, Virgil van Dijk 6, Andrew Robertson 5, Trent Alexander-Arnold 5, Georginio Wijnaldum 5, James Milner 6, Sadio Mane 6, Mohamed Salah 5, Roberto Firmino 6. Substitutes: Jordan Henderson (for Clyne, 59) 6, Dominic Solanke: (for Robertson, 75) 5.