Chelsea beat Liverpool to boost Champions League hopes
Chelsea have moved to within two points of the Champions League places after beating Liverpool 1-0.
Olivier Giroud headed into the far corner in the first half to seal the victory and put the Blues three points behind Liverpool with a game in hand.
Roberto Firmino forced a superb save out of Thibaut Courtois in the opening three minutes when he received the ball in the box and shot first-time towards goal but Courtois’ diving save kept the ball out.
Ten minutes later, a superb pass found Marcos Alonso on the edge of the area, but he shot straight at Loris Karius.
Sadio Mane was central to Liverpool attacks but fired over the bar before shooting at Courtois from long range. He then forced a double save from Courtois as Liverpool searched for the opener.
That opener went to Chelsea striker Giroud, though, who rose highest to head a Victor Moses cross into the far corner.
Chelsea had the first opening of the second half as Moses shot wide before N’Golo Kante fired over.
Antonio Rudiger had the ball in the net on the hour mark but he was flagged for offside.
Alonso nearly scored a wonderful goal to put the game to bed but his shot from the edge of the area went narrowly over.
Former Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke nearly levelled late on but his effort looped onto the roof of the net.
Chelsea host Huddersfield Town on Tuesday before travelling to Newcastle United on the final day, while Liverpool have just one more game, against Brighton next weekend.
Cover Photo: “Conte nuovo “allenatore” della Nazionale. È tutto oro quello che luccica?” by Nazionale Calcio used under license by CC BY 2.0.
