Chelsea have opened up a four-point lead inside the top four thanks to their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, where ex-Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scored the winning goal in Saturday's London derby.
Both goalkeepers were forced into early saves to keep things level on the scoreboard, but Chelsea eventually found their breakthrough through Giroud, who fired the ball inside Hugo Lloris' near post.
Chelsea needed less than three second-half minutes to double their lead, with Marcos Alonso picking out the bottom corner of the net after a stunning team move, where Giroud, Mason Mount and Ross Barkley all combined in the final third.
Things started to turn a little sour as Tottenham looked desperately to find a way back into the match and they did get on the scoresheet after
Chelsea
Key Talking Point
Even before he put Chelsea into the lead, Olivier Giroud's inclusion in the starting lineup was causing Tottenham's defence all sorts of problems.
The France international was sticking to Tottenham's centre backs, creating space in between the lines for Mason Mount and Ross Barkley to pick up dangerous positions more freely, something which was vital for Giroud's opener.
Giroud's influence wasn't just felt in attack either, as the extra space for Mount and Barkley allowed them to press Tottenham on the front foot and force the visitors on the back foot, with all three players combining in the build-up to Chelsea's second goal.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Caballero (7); Azpilicueta (8), Christensen (7), Rudiger (6); James (7), Jorginho (7), Kovacic (7), Alonso (7); Barkley (7), Mount (8), Giroud (9).
Substitutes: Abraham (6), Willian (6).
Olivier Giroud
It was only Olivier Giroud's ninth appearance of the season, but the France international showed exactly why he should be ahead of Michy Batshuayi in the pecking order.
The 33-year-old rolled back the years with a fantastic run in the build-up to his goal, eventually picking out Hugo Lloris' near post with point accuracy.
Lampard's biggest error so far this season is to have favoured Michy Batshuayi over World Cup winner Olivier Giroud.
— Oliver Kerry (@oli_kerry) February 22, 2020
Sublime finish from Olivier Giroud!! Why lampard has been keeping him on bench is beyond me.... he’s a very decent striker imo #CHETOT
— Diipo For JESUS⚪️ (@diipsy4Jesus) February 22, 2020
Can't believe Lampard had Giroud ever since and he kept him on the Bench.
— ToysleyTheGIANT (@Toysley) February 22, 2020
Good thing he's giving a good account of himself now. @_OlivierGiroud_
This is the proof that #lampard has made mistakes @_OlivierGiroud_ is our best striker, zero doubt @ChelseaFC @morriskid #CHETOT
— Jack Napier (@LucaInsanguine) February 22, 2020
Giroud was a nuisance for Tottenham's three centre backs throughout the match and his delicate header was crucial for Chelsea to double their lead through Marcos Alonso.
Tottenham Hotspur
Key Talking Point
It was a tactic which crashed and burned in uninspiring fashion against RB Leipzig in midweek, but
Tottenham Player Ratings
Lloris (6); Sanchez (5), Alderweireld (6), Vertonghen (5); Tanganga (5), Ndombele (5), Winks (6), Lo Celso (6), Davies (5); Moura (6), Bergwijn (5).
Substitutes: Lamela (6), Dele (6), Aurier (5).
Star Man?
Sorry, Tottenham fans. We need an intervention.
We've scoured social media to find any positive tweets about your players, and aside from being thankful when certain individuals were brought off, it's a barren wasteland out there if you're looking for any silver linings.
Me, every other week: https://t.co/AlK5SWYclV
— Sean Walsh (@SeanDZWalsh) February 22, 2020
What's clear is that Mourinho's striker-less 3-5-2 just isn't working in the slightest. Without Harry Kane or
Looking Ahead
Chelsea have Champions League action to look forward to in midweek where they'll host Bayern Munich, with a trip to Bournemouth up next for Frank Lampard's side in the Premier League.
Tottenham welcome Wolves to north London next weekend before they look ahead to their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Norwich City.
Source : 90min