Chelsea reinforced their grip on fourth vicinity in the Premier League with a much-needed 2-1 win over opponents Tottenham as Olivier Giroud scored his first club goal since August.
Frank Lampard’s men were four without a win in the top flight coming into this conflict at Stamford Bridge and had seen their advantage over Spurs cut to just a point in the conflict for the Champions League places.
But former manager Jose Mourinho ought to no longer inflict a in addition setback on the Blues, as Giroud, who had a goal disallowed in opposition to Manchester United on Monday, made the most of his first league start of 2020.
Marcos Alonso – any other of 4 Chelsea adjustments – brilliantly doubled his side’s lead quickly after half-time, and Lampard’s side held on despite a luckless late own goal from Antonio Rudiger.
In a uncommon Tottenham opening, Lucas Moura’s low drive drew a sharp cease from Willy Caballero after 10 minutes, and the game sparked into life as Hugo Lloris saved at his close to post from Mason Mount.
The traveling goalkeeper’s great efforts could no longer prevent a 15th-minute opener, even though he did block Giroud’s initial strike with his foot after a superb Jorginho pass from deep.
Ross Barkley hammered the rebound towards the post, solely for the ball to land again at Giroud’s feet, and the second finish from the France forward was arrowed into the bottom-right corner.
Alonso sent a 20-yard volley fizzing just over, however Spurs threatened once more late in a energetic first half, with Caballero turning away a Davinson Sanchez header and then seeing Japhet Tanganga overrun the ball as he rounded the keeper.
Chelsea were again on top from the restart, and the 2nd goal came much less than three minutes later as Alonso thundered low past Lloris after an incisive team move.
Lloris parried a swirling Barkley strike over the crossbar, before Tottenham have been fortunate to keep away from another blow when Giovani Lo Celso planted his studs into Cesar Azpilicueta’s shin in a late challenge that did not prompt a card.
The fit-again Tammy Abraham appeared from the bench and would have scored however for a close-range Lloris stop, while Alonso hit the bar with a remarkable free-kick.
Rudiger inadvertently deflected a cross from Erik Lamela past Caballero with a minute remaining to supply Spurs late hope, however Chelsea saw out a deserved win.
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