GIROUD ENDS HIS DROUGHT

MAURIZIO SARRI’S fever was the only thing hot about Chelsea in Belarus.

Olivier Giroud’s stooping header – his first goal for Chelsea in 794 minutes – was a rare highlight as the Blues stretched their unbeaten run to 17 games.

But this was their poorest performance under Sarri. And afterwards the Italian said: “Today I was in trouble. I had fever. It was a very hard day for me. I feel a little bit better now. But what pleased me about tonight was just the result. We didn’t play well. “The first objective was to qualify. The second is to win the group. We need one more point for that. But it’s important because now we don’t talk again about this competition until February.”

BATE hit the woodwork three times and Chelsea were stretched to the limit. Sarri made seven changes from the team which beat Crystal Palace on Sunday, with Eden Hazard surprisingly returning after missing three games with back trouble. But the little Belgian had a poor night.

Chelsea started shakily and Dmitri Baga hit the post with a rasping 20-yard drive.

They were indebted to keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who made a superb reaction save from Stanislav Dragun’s header.

The winner came seven minutes after half-time when Giroud (left) glanced in Emerson’s cross. It was Chelsea’s first effort on target.