Giroud seals it for Frank
Header puts Blues through
WHEN quizzed about Olivier Giroud’s future on Monday, Frank Lampard replied: ‘I still think he’s got a big contribution for us.’ The Chelsea manager obviously knew something the rest of us didn’t.
Lampard was responding to assertions from Mickael Manuello, the France striker’s agent, who had indicated his client will look to leave in January due to a lack of game time.
Fair play to Giroud, he let his football do the talking in Rennes last night. Whether the France international is prepared to settle for a bit-part role at Stamford Bridge will come out in the wash.
What we do know, however, is Chelsea have qualified for the knock- out stages courtesy of an injury-time goal from their unsettled World Cup winner.
‘That was great from him, I have a problem because I have Tammy
Abraham who is playing very well and Oli, who always contributes. But it’s a good problem,’ said Lampard. ‘Oli will get his minutes because we have a busy schedule. He offers a lot for us.’
Chelsea should not have required Giroud’s late intervention. The three point should have been wrapped up well before Serhou Guirassy scored an 85th minute leveller for Rennes.
But Chelsea found the answer. So six wins on the bounce and 13 games unbeaten bodes well for Lampard with a London derby against Tottenham — and his former boss Jose Mourinho — on the horizon.
Chelsea should have taken a fourth-minute lead, but Timo Werner somehow blazed Callum Hudson- Odoi’s inch-perfect low cross over the bar from six yards.
The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute, Hudson-Odoi ruthlessly dispatching Mason Mount’s pass past Alfred Gomis.
Mount then squandered another golden opportunity after he was set up by Ben Chilwell. However, Chelsea’s grip loosened somewhat during the closing stages of the first half.
James Lea Siliki wasted a decent chance following Jeremy Doku’s cross beforeGuirassy forced Edouard Mendy — returning to the club he left in the summer — into a save five minutes before the break.
Werner had the ball in the net in the 47th minute, but his header was rightly chalked off for offside.
But the longer Chelsea went without scoring a second the nervier it became. Hamari Traore saw his ferocious effort from the edge of the box defected wide by Thiago Silva before Guirassy lost his bearings in Chelsea’s box.
The Chelsea boss was concerned enough to introduce experienced pair N’Golo Kante and Giroud to see out the game.
By this time Chelsea were leaning heavily on goalkeeper Mendy, who denied Guirassy and Gerzino Nyamsi with excellent stops.
But Rennes grabbed the equaliser they probably deserved when Guirassy lost Silva to powerfully head Ben jam inBou rig eaud’ scorner past Mendy.Ch else ahadc onceded their first Champions League goal of the season.
However, the host’s joy was short lived as Giroud stole the show after Werner was denied by Gomis in the dying moments.
RENNES (4-3-3): Gomis 6; Traore 7, Silva 6, Nyamsi 6.5, Truffert 6.5 (Maouassa 86mins); Camavinga 6.5 (Grenier 78), Nzonzi 6.5, Bourigeaud 7; Doku 7 (Gboho 86), Guirassy 7.5 (Niang 86), Lea Siliki 6 (Del Castillo 63, 5).
Subs not used: Salin, Tait, Hunou, Assignon, Soppy, Rutter, Omari. Booked: Grenier, Bourigeaud. Scorer: Guirassy 85. Manager: Julien Stephan, 6.5 CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): Mendy 7; Azplicueta 6.5, Zouma 7, Silva 7, Chilwell 7; Jorginho 6.5, Kovacic 6.5 (Havertz 76); HUDSON-ODOI 8 (Ziyech 75, 7); Mount 7.5 (Kante 68, 6.5), Werner 6.5 (James 90); Abraham 7 (Giroud 69, 7).
Subs not used: Kepa, Caballero, Rudiger, Alonso, Christensen, Tomori, Emerson. Scorers: Hudson-Odoi 22, Giroud 90+1.
Manager: Frank Lampard, 7.5. Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Hol) 6.