Olivier Giroud scores again and Chelsea returns to the top

Olivier Giroud scored again as Chelsea advanced to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.

The French forward continued his four-goal streak in Seville midweek, marking his first league start of the campaign with a brilliant first half in the 27th minute.

A delicious early start was canceled by former Blues forward Patrick Bamford, who circled Edouard Mendy and hid Kalvin Phillips’ sensational pass.

The match saw 2,000 home fans return to the Bridge for the first time since the first Covid lockdown and Chelsea made sure they left happy when Kurt Zouma headed them in front from a right corner just after time. Substitute Christian Pulisic closed the points in injury time.

The result sees Frank Lampard’s men move up the table, one point ahead of Tottenham and Liverpool, who play on Sunday.

Chelsea can now give its key staff a break at home to FK Krasnodar on Tuesday after comfortably topping Group E of the Champions League. The Blues will then visit Everton on Saturday, while Leeds host West Ham on Friday.

Bamford offered an early suggestion that he could go back to haunting his old club with another strike away from home, but that was for the best for the Leeds leader. The visitors once again impressed with their style and pace, but in the end Chelsea deserved their victory.

Giroud defended why he should be given a more regular opportunity to start with an excellent finish, while Timo Werner had to settle for an assist after seeing a plethora of opportunities. Giroud had told Chelsea’s website that France coach Didier Deschamps had suggested that he might need to look at his future in January if he doesn’t have any more starts. He duly responded to the opportunity by scoring 14 goals in his last 13 starts for the Blues in all competitions to give Lampard a lot to think about in terms of attacking options.

The Chelsea manager will be delighted to have overtaken Marcelo Bielsa, but will be happier to have stretched an undefeated league streak to nine games that leaves them in good stead for the weeks and months to come.

The England midfielder was a real danger throughout, embarking on a series of test runs and contributing a substantial assist.

Chelsea: Mendy 7, James 8, Silva 7, Zouma 8, Chilwell 7, Kante 7, Mount 8, Havertz 6, Werner 6, Ziyech 6, Giroud 8. Subs: Pulisic 7, Kovacic 6, Abraham 5.

Leeds United: Meslier 7, Ayling 7, Koch 5, Cooper 6, Dallas 6, Phillips 7, Klich 6, Raphinha 6, Alioski 6, Harrison 6, Bamford 7. Subs: Llorente 6, Poveda 6, Rodrigo 6.

4 ‘- GOAL! – Chelsea 0-1 Leeds Utd. Bamford stormed into Phillips’ beautiful pass, jumps past Mendy and coldly shoots home.

9 ‘- CHELSEA CHANCE! How has that remained? Werner hits the crossbar at point-blank range after Giroud took a corner kick from the left.

27 ‘- GOAL! – Chelsea 1-1 Leeds Utd. Giroud levels matter with a first clinical and quite brilliant result on the stretch from the magnificent James center.

57 ‘- LEEDS OPPORTUNITY! Raphinha throws volleys on the second try after her opening shot from a deep corner was blocked.

61 ‘- GOAL! – Chelsea 2-1 Leeds Utd. Zouma rises above a static Leeds defense to guide a simple header to the corner from Mount’s delivery.

76 ‘- CHELSEA OPPORTUNITIES! Werner has another gold edge shot saved by Meslier before Giroud sees a free header from the resulting corner flying over the crossbar.

90 + 3 ‘- GOAL! – Chelsea 3-1 Leeds Utd. Pulisic slides into the killer goal after Werner ran clear and put it on a plate.

No player has scored more away goals in the Premier League than Patrick Bamford this season, with seven of his eight away goals this season.

Giroud is the first player to score in six consecutive Premier League starts with Chelsea since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in October 2001. At 34 years and 66 days, Giroud is also the oldest player to score in six consecutive PL starts. .