Giroud bags two in Blues cruise

OLIVIER GIROUD scored twice and Callum Hudson-Odoi netted his first goal for Chelsea as the Blues cruised to a Europa League victory over ten-man PAOK Salonika. Yevhen Khacheridi was sent off for the Greek visitors after just seven minutes and Giroud netted twice before half-time, the second a brilliant volley from a Cesc Fabregas pass. Hudson-Odoi, 18, scored after 60 minutes before providing a goal for Alvaro Morata, on for Giroud, as the Blues wrapped up Group L in some style. PAOK suffered a self-inflicted blow after only seven minutes. Right-back Leo Matos’ pass towards Khacheridi was woefully inadequate and Giroud intercepted. The Ukrainian lunged at the France striker, bringing him down at the edge of the area before being shown an inevitable red card. Fabregas sent the resulting free-kick under the wall, but wide. PAOK’s meek resistance was breached when Fabregas found Pedro, who, in turn, passed to Giroud. He bent the ball inside the far post. Giroud’s second was exquisite, volleying home Fabregas’ perfectly weighted pass.

Teenager Hudson-Odoi, on the left, cut in onto his right and his shot beat Alex Paschalakis at the near post for No 3. Morata replaced Giroud with 15 minutes left and used his head to convert HudsonOdoi’s cross within three minutes to maintain Chelsea’s 100 per cent record. Giroud said: ‘I am really happy with the team spirit and we can move forwards now and start some new momentum. ‘Four goals plus a clean sheet — it was a good night for us.’