Olivier Giroud scores first Chelsea goal in win over Hull
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ByEurosport
Updated 16/02/2018 at 22:08 GMT
FA Cup fifth round, Stamford Bridge - Chelsea 4 (Willian 2', 32', Pedro 27', Giroud 42') Hull 0
Olivier Giroud of Chelsea celebrates with team mates after scoring his team's fourth goal of the game during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge on February 16, 2018 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Olivier Giroud scored his first goal since signing for Chelsea in the January Transfer Window as Antonio Conte’s side easily dispatched Hull to seal their place in the quarter final of the FA Cup.
The Frenchman, signed from Arsenal on Deadline Day, passed a late fitness test and was rewarded with a goal as he registered Chelsea’s fourth close to the end of a dominant first-half display.
Willian opened the scoring after only 106 seconds with a fine individual effort and Pedro doubled the advantage in the 27th minute after he was released by an exquisite Cesc Fabregas pass.
Eden Hazard was rested as Antonio Conte prepares for a tricky Champions League last-16 clash with Barcelona in midweek, but the Blues didn’t require the services of the Belgian with Willian in such devastating form and the Brazilian grabbed his brace in the 32nd minute with another lovely strike.
After the interval, Hull spurned the opportunity to grab a consolation as David Meyler’s spot-kick was saved by Willy Caballero, after Fabregas upended Harry Wilson in the box.
Conte introduced youngsters Kyle Scott and Callum Hudson-Odoi early in the second period as Chelsea took their foot off the gas, but Willian was denied his hat-trick by the post with only minutes remaining.
Chelsea, who last won the FA Cup in 2012, can now look forward to Monday’s draw when it will be revealed who they will play in the last eight of the competition.
TALKING POINT - Shaken Chelsea restore confidence with convincing win
Conte needed a response from his side after a concerning run of form which included a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth and a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Watford, and the Italian will be delighted with the character of his players to bounce back. It has been a productive week for the Blues, scoring seven goals with no reply, after easing past basement side West Brom 3-0 on Monday. Much trickier tests are ahead of Chelsea in the next fortnight: Barcelona lie in wait over a two-legged tie, while they must also travel to both Manchester giants – but at least Conte’s team now have momentum on their side.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Willian (Chelsea)
It was clear after the second minute that the Brazilian was in the mood to prove his worth to his manager. Willian was at the heart of every attack, controlling the tempo in midfield while playing with a lot of confidence as the Blues' no 10. He scored two fine goals and the stats speak for themselves: Willian has been involved in 13 goals in his last 14 appearances; he must play a bigger role in Chelsea's season.
PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Caballero 8, Rudiger 6, Cahill 6, Ampadu 8, Zappacosta 7, Drinkwater 6, Fabregas 7, Emerson 8, Willian 9, Giroud 8, Pedro 8. Subs: Scott 6, Hudson-Odoi 6, Morata 5.
Hull: Marshall 8, Irvine 6, Dawson 5, Clark 5, MacDonald 5, Wilson 6, Meyler 5, Diomande 5, Evandro 5, Stewart 5, Dicko 7. Subs: Toral 5, Campbell 5, Batty N/A.
KEY MOMENTS
2’ - GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Hull (Willian): It's exactly the start Conte would have hoped for! Hull lose the ball in midfield. It breaks to Willian, who shows quick feet to create an opening before curling a shot into the top corner from 20 yards, beyond the reach of Marshall.
27’ - GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Hull (Pedro) A beautiful team move from Chelsea as Fabregas clips a ball over the top of Hull's defence to release Pedro, his first touch is astonishing and he races clear of Dawson before stabbing past Marshall. Too easy.
32’ - GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Hull (Willian): Willian grabs his brace and Chelsea are rampant! Giroud shows his strength as he out-muscles a defender, laying the ball off to Willian who, from 20 yards, drills a low right-footed shot which nestles into the bottom left corner.
42’ - GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 Hull (Giroud): There it is, Giroud is off the mark for Chelsea! Cahill's shot takes a deflection and falls to Emerson on the left channel. He nutmegs his marker, cuts it back for Giroud who slots the ball beyond Marshall at the near post. He looks delighted.
48’ - PENALTY TO HULL! Wilson is upended by Fabregas and Andre Marriner points to the spot! Fabregas can have no complaints, he seemed to have lost concentration and tripped the Hull midfielder right in front of the referee.
51’ - SAVED! A number of minutes after the penalty was awarded, Meyler's penalty is saved by Caballero who guesses the right way and palms the effort away!
KEY STATS
- Willy Caballero has saved five of the last eight penalties he has faced in all competitions (excluding shootouts).
- Olivier Giroud has been directly involved in three goals in a single match for the first time since January 2017 for Arsenal against Bournemouth.
- Willian has had a hand in 13 goals in his last 14 starts for Chelsea in all competitions (eight goals, five assists).
- Chelsea have never lost at home to Hull City in a competitive match, winning 18 of the previous 23 such clashes.
- This was the first FA Cup meeting between these two sides since a third-round match in December 1999, which Chelsea won 6-1 away from home - their joint-biggest away win in the competition and the only time they've scored six on the road in the competition.
- Chelsea have progressed from 10 of their last 11 fifth round FA Cup ties, with their only loss coming against Manchester City in 2014.
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