Chelsea v Liverpool – story of the match
Antonio Conte’s side won 1-0 against the Champions League finalists.
Chelsea boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification as Olivier Giroud’s first half header earned a 1-0 win over Liverpool.
Tottenham’s loss at West Brom on Saturday and Giroud’s fourth goal in five games, earning a win over Champions League finalists Liverpool, took Antonio Conte’s Blues two points behind their London rivals with two games to go.
The Reds have work to do to secure their place in Europe’s elite competition as an intense contest in stifling heat proved too much at the end of a week which saw Jurgen Klopp’s men advance to the Champions League final.
What they said
Tweet of the match
Star man – Olivier Giroud
Moment of the match
Data point
Liverpool were unbeaten in their previous six meetings with Chelsea. Victory for the Blues was their 50th top flight win over the Reds.
Let’s get ready to sprinkle
Boxing announcer Michael Buffer was at Stamford Bridge to read out the teams before kick-off – and got drenched for his troubles.
Ratings
Chelsea: Thibaut Courtois 7, Cesar Azpilicueta 7, Gary Cahill 7, Antonio Rudiger 7 Victor Moses 7, N’Golo Kante 7, Tiemoue Bakayoko 6, Cesc Fabregas 6, Marcos Alonso 6, Eden Hazard 6, Olivier Giroud 7. Substitutes: Willian (for Hazard, 86) 5, Davide Zappacosta (for Moses, 89) 5.
Liverpool: Loris Karius 6, Nathaniel Clyne 5, Dejan Lovren 5, Virgil van Dijk 6, Andrew Robertson 5, Trent Alexander-Arnold 5, Georginio Wijnaldum 5, James Milner 6, Sadio Mane 6, Mohamed Salah 5, Roberto Firmino 6. Substitutes: Jordan Henderson (for Clyne, 59) 6, Dominic Solanke: (for Robertson, 75) 5.
Who’s up next?
Chelsea v Huddersfield (Premier League, May 9)
Liverpool v Brighton (Premier League, May 13)
