Chelsea had Olivier Giroud to thank for a sensational four-goal haul that helped Frank Lampard's side ease to victory against Sevilla in Andalusia.
But how did the Frenchman play overall?
📷 Olivier Giroud: Match Performance
The ageless Frenchman scored on four occasions in a supreme display of leading the line against a Sevilla side that clearly had focus on facing Real Madrid at the weekend.
With both sides having already qualified for the knockout stages there were a number of changes in both XIs, leading to Giroud earning just his second start of the season.
⚽ ⏱️ 8' And the Blues immediately got to work, with Kai Havertz weaving his way through the Sevilla press to lay the ball into the path of Giroud. The forward cut back on himself before his cultured curler found the far corner and a deserved lead.
⚽ ⏱️ 54' He made it two early in the second half, collecting a Mateo Kovacic pass before taking a touch and dinking a beautiful finish into the far corner of the net.
⚽ ⏱️ 74' And the third was quintessential Giroud, getting in front of his marker to meet a sublime Callum Hudson-Odoi cross to bullet his header into the back of the net.
⚽ ⏱️ 83' If that wasn't enough, Giroud himself was fouled in the area and the big man stepped up to use that left foot and slot into the corner with ease to round off a special night.
At this rate, Lampard may be thinking about giving the former Arsenal forward a regular starting berth.
〽️ Olivier Giroud: Rating
✔️ IMPROVEMENT
Giroud had a great impact off the bench against Rennes last week, playing only the last 20 minutes but popping up to loop in his header for the winner. But this was quite obviously a special performance on a special night for him, earning a perfect 10 FC Rating.
🗝️ Giroud Stats
Giroud match stats
Statistic | Value | Notes |
FC Rating | 10 | |
Mins Played | 85 | |
Shots | 5 | |
On Target | 4 | |
Goals | 4 | |
Aerial Duels Won | 5/9 | |
Duels Won | 9/17 |
Giroud: What Next?
Surely it's impossible for Frank Lampard to not consider Giroud for a start this weekend. It's one thing to come in and impress your manager, it's quite another to star for an elite club who have scored four goals in a single Champions League match. It's testament to Giroud's determination that even with Chelsea's attacking talent, he remains a serious option.
READ MORE:
Sevilla 0-4 Chelsea: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats