MY TEAM OF THE WEEKEND

I DID not hold back in my criticism of Chelsea last week after their lack of a performance at Manchester City.

They responded with a victory over Crystal Palace, in which Olivier Giroud showed why he should start in the Champions League second leg against Barcelona on Wednesday. Chelsea must score at the Nou Camp if they are to reach the quarter-finals and Giroud is their most likely source of goals. Barca’s defenders will not look forward to dealing with his aerial prowess at set pieces, while having a focal point will give Chelsea an out-ball when they are under pressure.

Playing without a striker may have worked against Barca in the first leg at Stamford Bridge but Antonio Conte would be on a hiding to nothing should he do so again this week.