Late Giroud header sinks Rennes and seals Chelsea’s place in last 16

Olivier Girouds pa red Chelsea's blushes with a poacher's finish in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 Champions League victory at Rennes.

Callum Hudson-odoi's crisp finish had the Blues leading 1-0 for the majority of their Group E clash in France, only for Serhou Guirassy to equalise late on for Rennes.

But just when the west Londoners were starting to regret a host of missed chances, up popped the ever-reliable Giroud to head home and snatch back the victory.

Chelsea's four th win from their four matches sealed safe passage to the Champions League's last 16, and with two group matches to spare.

Frank Lampard's men have now gone 13 matches unbeaten in all competitions and they travel to Sevilla on Wednesday, December 2 knowing a win would leave the Blues favourites to top the group.

Chelsea should have been ahead before the hosts had even really had time to settle but Timo Werner somehow blazed over the bar from mere yards out and with the goal at his mercy.

The relentless visitors pressed on undeterred however, and Hudson-odoi capped an impressive first half with a fine goal.

Mason Mount's lofted pass sent Hudson- Odoi clear and the young England for ward drilled home in style to put the Blues into a fully-merited lead.

Goal keeper Alfred Gomis pulled off a snap reactionary save to deny Mount's stabbed effort that kept Rennes in the contest just past the half-hour.

And Guirassy wasted a golden opening for the hosts after latching on to Ben Chilwell's shocking pass. The left-back's no-look ball fell straight to Guirassy, who raced in on goal but dallied and his eventual pass across goal was swept away by Thiago Silva.

Chelsea de served their 1-0 half-time lead but an emboldened Rennes got back into the contest after the break and Guirassy equalised for the hosts just six minutes from time, the striker heading home unmarked from a corner.

Just when the Blues were expecting to rue their earlier missed chances though, up popped super sub Giroud to nick a vital goal.

Werner should have buried another fine chance, but Gomis mustered a good save to thwart the frustrated Germany forward. The ball looped up however, and the lurking Giroud reacted first to nod home and seal the Blues' victory.