Giroud Inspires Late Revival

It looked like another ritual defeat for struggling Chelsea, another bad day at the office for an impotent outfit. Then lo and behold, Monsieur Giroud reminded us why we bothered to buy him in the first place, cementing his reputation as a marvellous impact substitute. The Frenchman has now earned the right to get a starting place in the cup semi final next Sunday against the same opposition. Of course the challenge for Olivier is to play well (score more goals) as a starter. He may have a Tore Andre Flo/David Fairclough knack of scoring goals as a substitute, but can he do likewise as a regular starter?

I hope that the increasingly isolated Conte rests many first team players for the Thursday night trip to Burnley. Of course we want to at least finish ahead of Arsenic in the English charts, but why endanger our FA Cup hopes with overuse of the same players this Thursday and Sunday? At least Southampton, playing the same night as ourselves, have no luxury with regards to team rotation, as they are desperately and forlornly trying to maintain their Premier League status.

I would have much preferred to have defeated toxic Wet Sham and drawn with Southampton, but c'est la vie. Our team seem intent on keeping Crystal Palace and the unhappy Hammers in the top league. Let's see if the team are as equally keen to win the consolation prize of the FA Cup.

Southampton 2 CHELSEA 3; half time: 1-0

CHELSEA goal scorers: Giroud (two); Hazard

CHELSEA: Courtois; Cahill; Christensen; Azpilicueta; Kante; Alonso; Fabregas; Zappacosta; Morata; Willian; Hazard. Used substitutes: Giroud; Pedro; Moses

CHELSEA leading scorers:

Hazard sixteen

Morata fourteen

Willian thirteen

Batshuayi ten

Alonso seven

Pedro six

Azpilicueta three

Bakayoko three

Giroud three

Rudiger three