Premier League, Stamford Bridge – Chelsea 1 (Giroud 32’) Liverpool 0
Olivier Giroud’s header saw Chelsea past Liverpool 1-0 as the race for the Premier League top four took another twist.
Just three points separate Liverpool (72), Tottenham (71) and Chelsea (69) heading into the final week of the season. Both Spurs and Antonio Conte’s side have games-in-hand in midweek.
Chelsea earned the breakthrough shortly after the half-hour mark, when Tiemoue Bakayoko sent a long-range diagonal ball to Victor Moses on the right flank. The former Liverpool loanee’s cross was headed into the net by Giroud - it was the Frenchman’s fifth goal in six appearances against Liverpool.
After the break, Chelsea had the ball in the net from a corner routine, but Antonio Rudiger was several yards offside as he converted Giroud’s headed-flick towards goal.
The visiting side enjoyed the majority of time on the ball, but were expertly kept out of the final third by the Chelsea back line. As such, Liverpool were reduced to long-range shots for much of the game.
Liverpool, in third, will need to beat Brighton next week - or Real Madrid thereafter - to assure Champions League football next season.
TALKING POINT
Can Chelsea still make the Premier League top four? Chelsea are two points behind Tottenham in fourth place, with two games left. They must face Huddersfield and Newcastle, while Spurs host Newcastle and Leicester. Tottenham boast a much better goal difference, so Chelsea’s European fate depends on Pochettino’s side losing one of their remaining games. It’s possible, but one wouldn’t count on Spurs losing at home to such opposition.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Eden Hazard (Chelsea): Liverpool had absolutely no answers for the brilliant Belgian, who showed supreme confidence as he distributed the ball around the final third.
PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Courtois 7, Azpilicueta 7, Cahill 7, Rudiger 6, Moses 7, Kante 7, Bakayoko 7, Fabregas 6, Alonso 7, Hazard 8, Giroud 7. Subs: Zappacosta 6, Pedro 6, Willian 6.
Liverpool: Karius 7, Clyne 6, Lovren 6, Van Dijk 6, Robertson 7, Alexander-Arnold 7, Wijnaldum 6, Milner 6, Mane 7, Salah 6, Firmino 6. Subs: Henderson 6, Moreno 6, Solanke 6.
KEY MOMENTS
32 - GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool. Bakayoko sends a ball wide to Moses, who swings in a cross for Giroud to guide into the net with his head!
36 - CHANCE! Moses picks out Fabregas, who is completely unmarked in the area! His shot/cross trickles across the goal line and out for a goal kick!
80 - CHANCE! Moses crosses from the right and Alonso attampts a spectacular volley, which flies narrowly wide of the post! That would have been goal of the season!
KEY STATS
Olivier Giroud has scored 29 headed goals since his October 2012 Premier League debut—more than anyone else in the competition.
Liverpool have only won three of their last 12 league games following a Champions League encounter.
Chelsea have won four consecutive league games—their longest winning streak of the season.
