Chelsea set up a mouthwatering FA Cup final clash with Manchester United as the Blues eventually overcame a stubborn Southampton 2-0 at Wembley.
After a goalless first half, Olivier Giroud put the Blues in front with a quite brilliant opening goal. Alvaro Morata came on to head Chelsea 2-0 in front late on and seal the victory.
Here, we analyse the performance of Giroud, whose sublime goal sent Chelsea on the way to their 13th FA Cup final appearance.
STATISTICS
Goals – 1
Assists – 0
Shots – 3
Shots on target – 1
Touches – 38
Passes – 25
Key passes – 1
Dribbles – 3
Dispossessed – 0
30-SECOND REPORT
We got the best of both sides of Giroud in the second semi-final of the weekend, with the former Gunners’ striker failing to fire in the opening 45 minutes at Wembley. As good a player as he is and the mismatch nightmare he often provides for defenders, he often finds it difficult to get into games, and that was the case in an anonymous first-half.
But he started the second as he meant to go on, putting Chelsea ahead within seconds of the restart. From then on he was heavily involved as the Blues bossed the game and looked to kill the tie off.
GOT RIGHT
Magic – Giroud had hardly been in the game during the first 45 minutes. But like all great players, they can change the game in an instant, and he certainly did that. Still with a lot to do when receiving Hazard’s pass, the Frenchman showed plenty of flair to weave past three defenders to pull out a magical finish and put his side ahead. What a goal. His second one of the season in the FA Cup.
Digging deep – It wasn’t the big man’s game in the first half. But rather than wallow and whinge about a lack of service, he rolled his sleeves up and went looking for the action, dropping a little deeper to help his side set up attacks.
GOT WRONG
Runs – It wasn’t happening for the striker in the first half as Chelsea had all the possession but failed to find that killer pass to get the goal their dominance deserved. Part of that was down to Giroud’s lack of intelligent runs, which gave the lively Eden Hazard nothing to aim for.
Aerial ability – For a player so adept in the air, it was puzzling to see Giroud not using his head. He tried the spectacular when Fabregas chipped a delivery into the box in the first half, when a header could have led to a goal.
KEY MOMENTS
25th min CHANCE: Hazard is causing the Southampton back line all sorts of problems and he surges to the byline and cuts the ball back to Giroud, but excellent defending prevents the Frenchman from being able to get an effort in on goal.
39th min CHANCE: Fabregas clips in an intelligent ball to the area, Giroud inexplicably goes for the spectacular and scuffs his shot, although he gets a second chance but volleys that one just wide.
40th min FOULED: The striker sets up a Chelsea attack by dropping deep to receive possession. The ball is played into him and he lays it off for Kante, but Giroud is clattered in the process by Yoshida, the Japanese defender earning a deserved yellow.
46th min GOAL: Stunning finish from the big man. He’s done precious little up to now, but what an impact when he does do something. Hazard does well to tee him up but there’s still plenty to do in a crowded penalty area. Giroud shows wonderful feet to dance round three Saints defenders and prod home. Stunning finish.
55th min FOULED: Chelsea win the ball back and Giroud looks to set up an attack, playing the ball to a teammate before he is scythed down by Romeu.
VERDICT
The former Arsenal man came into the game looking to continue his love affair with the FA Cup, having scored 10 goals previously in the competition, and he did just that as he played a starring role in getting his side to the final. We often talk about the magic of the FA Cup and Giroud produced a moment that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Harry Houdini routine, finding the key to unlock the Southampton defence to score his 10th goal in the cup.
RATING: 7/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
