Champions League

CHELSEA showed their excellent strength in-depth tonight by beating Sevilla 4-0 in the Champions League. 
Frank Lampard chose to rest a number of his key Chelsea players in Spain tonight for two reasons. 

Olivier Giroud stated his case for a regular place with an incredible FOUR goals against SevillaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

34y 63d – Olivier Giroud is the oldest player in Champions League history to score a hat-trick, while he’s the oldest to do it in the European Cup since Real Madrid’s Ferenc Puskás in September 1965 (38y 173d v Feyenoord). Glorious. pic.twitter.com/vNRBGACFm6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 2, 2020

One was to genuinely give them a rest ahead of a busy set of fixtures, and two was because in Lampard’s words, his fringe players have been training well and knocking on his door. 
Well, many of them got their just rewards tonight and many of them really took their chances. 
There were good performances from Callum Hudson-Odoi, Emerson Palmieri, and Antonio Rudiger.
But there was one main man who absolutely stole the show and sent a clear and concise message to his manager tonight – that man is Olivier Giroud. 

The French international not only scored a perfect hat trick finishing with his left foot, his right foot, and then his head, he even had the cheek to step up to score a late penalty and get Chelsea’s fourth goal of the night as well. 
It turned into the Olivier Giroud show for Chelsea, and the striker fully deserves all the plaudits he is getting. 
Will he stay or will he leave in January? That is all the speculation at the moment.
But judging from this showing tonight, he not only wants to stay in January, he has staked a claim to be Lampard’s number one striker for the rest of the season and beyond. 

@_OlivierGiroud_ what a real pro you are mate. All young players should have you as a rol model. Well done once again. And people still wonder why you always end up playing!! Hard work, passion, dedication and real character to always turn things around. 👏🏻
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) December 2, 2020

Frank Lampard must give the Frenchman a chance in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

As well as the goals he was excellent on the ball and with his link up play, showing that he isn’t just about scoring goals. 
Lampard would have had to genuinely sit back and take notice tonight, because if Giroud doesn’t continue to get more minutes than he has been getting so far this season, then it seems quite clear that he will be asking to leave the club in January. 
He has eyes on the Euros this summer and knows that he needs regular game time until then to keep his match fitness up, and to keep Didier Deschamps selecting him. 
He’s earned his place in the French squad, and he has earned his place in the Chelsea squad.
But there is no way after tonight that Lampard will drop Giroud from his starting line-up against Leeds on Saturday in the Premier League, surely? 
Well, there is literally not a single thing he could do to prove his worth more than scoring 4 to thrash Sevilla tonight! 
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

4 – Olivier Giroud is the first Chelsea player to score four goals in a game since Frank Lampard in March 2010 vs Aston Villa, while he’s the first to net four for Chelsea in a European Cup/Champions League game. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/p3k9sdCz9k
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 2, 2020

Olivier Giroud grabs four goals for Chelsea in Champions League tie with Sevilla More

TEN-MAN Manchester United failed to book their spot in the Champions League knockout stages after falling to a 3-1 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar started things off with just six minutes gone and closed it out in injury time.

Edinson Cavani proved his class in the 3-1 defeat against his former side Paris Saint-Germain Credit: Reuters

Fred should have been sent off in the first half – and then got his red card in the secondCredit: Reuters

Marcus Rashford’s deflected equaliser gave United hope – a draw would have been enough to put them through.
But Marquinhos restored PSG’s lead after Edinson Cavani hit the bar before Fred – who should have been sent off in the first half – was finally given his marching orders seconds later.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated – and in one case slated – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men…
David De Gea – 6
Was passed fit after coming off at Southampton on Sunday but beaten within six minutes by Neymar’s finish.

Made a flying – albeit comfortable – stop to deny Alessandro Florenzi a few minutes later to keep the game alive.
But his stop to get down and deny Mitchel Bakker appeared absolutely critical, touching it past the post… only for PSG to score from the corner.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
Lost Neymar at the back post from a wicked cross but got away with it as the Brazilian could not get on the end of it.
Not known for his attacking prowess but got the assist when he raced on to the ball parried by Keylor Navas and squared for Rashford.

Was the slowest man to get out from the corner as Marquinhos put PSG back in front but denied a certain goal late on by tracking Kylian Mbappe all the way on a counter.

Victor Lindelof – 6
Unfortunate to see the ball deflect off him for the early goal as he made the block.
Did well to shield his own area, regularly ushering Neymar and Mbappe away from danger.
Harry Maguire – 6
Considering he was up against the two most expensive footballers of all time, was surprisingly quiet for most of the game and had chances to carry the ball into midfield.
It was his header with ten minutes to go from a long free-kick that almost turned into an assist for Paul Pogba.
Then was involved again to pop the ball across for Bruno Fernandes but the Portuguese star’s header was easily saved.
But beaten all ends up by the brilliance of Neymar for the PSG third in injury time which capped off the win.
Alex Telles – 5
Caught ball-watching as it looped off Lindelof’s heel and Neymar sneaked in to volley home.
A few neat touches and spins but overall a quiet night for the Brazilian left-back, who could not deliver the goods with any of his set pieces.
Scott McTominay – 6
Despite some strong performances alongside Fred in recent weeks, was anonymous as Kylian Mbappe skipped past him in the build-up to the first goal.
But the Scotland international did not shy away from the challenge as he got Neymar rattled on the stroke of half-time with a series of niggling fouls then kept the bickering going all the way into the tunnel.
Fred – 1
Absolutely shocking from the Brazilian – who had been enjoying his best spell in a United shirt.
Had already escaped a card – let alone a red – when he went in for a challenge with both feet then incredibly lucky after idiotically sticking his head into Leandro Paredes just like Nicolas Pepe at Leeds – but only given a yellow after the referee checked the monitor.
Even then, he put in a late foot in another challenge and was a massive surprise to see him emerge for the second period. Tried to make amends with a speculative long-ranger but to no joy.
At the third time of asking, Fred finally got his second yellow and was sent off seconds after the PSG second goal… but replays show he won the ball in the tackle with ex-Red Devil Ander Herrera. Harsh – but should have been off long ago.

Scott McTominay did not shy away from his battle with NeymarCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Despite checking the monitor, the referee decided this headbutt did not warrant a red cardCredit: BT Sport
Marcus Rashford – 7
Arguably could have done better when he ran wide before losing possession before the PSG opener but got his side level via a heavy deflection off Danilo Pereira.
Should have added an assist when he laid it on a plate for Anthony Martial who squandered his golden chance.
Trudged off with 73 minutes played clutching his shoulder which will be a concern.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Not at his influential best we have become used to since January – but could easily have had an assist or two.
Just before the break, the ball dropped for him in the area but he opted against shooting and then fluffed his pass to Cavani.
Then he teed up Martial with a deft touch after Cavani struck the crossbar in selfless fashion – a counter attack he helped start with a naughty dummy.
Anthony Martial – 4
Back from illness but somehow was not back in the goals on the 50-minute mark as he simply could not keep the ball down from close range. In fact, he ballooned it over. Had to score.
Minutes later had another glorious chance and this time kept it low and hard, only for Marquinhos to come flying across and make a stunning block.
Edinson Cavani – 7
Up against the team he scored 200 goals in 301 games for – making him PSG’s all-time record scorer – but showed he still has bags to offer. This guy is class.
Lovely link-up play with Rashford early in the second half ahead of the Martial miss.
Cavani was so, so, so unlucky not to make it 2-1 with his exquisite chip bouncing back off the bar before Marquinhos denied Martial.

Marcus Rashford equalised for United when his effort bamboozled Keylor Navas due to a huge deflectionCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Anthony Martial had a glorious chance to put his side in front but could not keep it downCredit: AP:Associated Press
SUBS
Paul Pogba (for Rashford, 74 mins) – 6
Brought on after the Fred red card to partner McTominay for the final stages – he, or one of the other central midfielders, should have been on at the break, though.
Fantastic volley whistled just over the bar – would have been some equaliser from the edge of the D.
Donny van de Beek (for Cavani, 79 mins) – 5
A few nice touches in and around the box as he looked to unpick the PSG defence and grab an equaliser.
Unlucky to catch Herrera to break up an attack.
Mason Greenwood (for Martial, 79 mins) – 5
With Rashford, Martial and Cavani all off, left to Mason Greenwood to lead the line for the closing stages but didn’t get a sniff.
Odion Ighalo (for Wan-Bissaka, 90 mins) – N/A
Replaced the right-back in an attacking change for his Champions League debut for United.
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

It looks as though Fred is a very lucky boy 👀He appeared to move his head towards Paredes off the ball, the referee took a closer look, and gave a yellow card ⚠️Already down a goal, that was a close call for Man Utd… pic.twitter.com/4c2JvDhxGO
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 2, 2020

Furious Neymar squares up to McTominay at half time during Man Utd vs PSG More

OLIVIER GIROUD scored an incredible FOUR goals as Chelsea booked top spot in their Champions League group with a 4-0 win at Sevilla.
The Frenchman has been on the fringes this term but proved his worth to the side with a stunning man-of-the-match display.

Olivier Giroud scored four goals as Chelsea beat Sevilla 4-0Credit: Reuters

34y 63d – Olivier Giroud is the oldest player in Champions League history to score a hat-trick, while he’s the oldest to do it in the European Cup since Real Madrid’s Ferenc Puskás in September 1965 (38y 173d v Feyenoord). Glorious. pic.twitter.com/vNRBGACFm6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 2, 2020

Here, SunSport’s Simon Phillips runs the rule over Giroud and Chelsea’s other stars in Seville…
Edouard Mendy – 6
Didn’t have any real saves to make in the game and was largely left untested.
He was good with his distribution and will be pleased with another clean sheet.

Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Got beaten out wide on a couple of occasions but he was pretty solid throughout the game regardless.
Andreas Christensen – 6
Sloppy on occasions and mis-placed a few easy passes, but the Dane did what he needed to do at the back despite being largely untested.

@_OlivierGiroud_ what a real pro you are mate. All young players should have you as a rol model. Well done once again. And people still wonder why you always end up playing!! Hard work, passion, dedication and real character to always turn things around. 👏🏻
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) December 2, 2020

Mateo Kovacic had a fine game in midfield for the BluesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Antonio Rudiger – 7
Gave away a couple of silly dangerous free kicks, but Rudiger was the better of the two centre backs on the night and showed good vision hitting a few long-range passes. 
Emerson Palmieri – 7
He naturally looked a bit rusty at times after not having a lot of game time, but he grew into the game and started to make a nuisance of himself out on the left linking up with Pulisic. 
Jorginho – 7
Mis-timed a few challenges but generally played well making some important interceptions and keeping the ball well under pressure from two or three Sevilla players using the high press.
Mateo Kovacic – 7
As with Jorginho, he gave away a couple of silly free kicks in the first half, but he had a good game and provided a lovely assist for Giroud’s second goal.
He was involved in most of Chelsea’s attacking moves and came off for a needed rest on 67 minutes.

4 – Olivier Giroud is the first Chelsea player to score four goals in a game since Frank Lampard in March 2010 vs Aston Villa, while he’s the first to net four for Chelsea in a European Cup/Champions League game. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/p3k9sdCz9k
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 2, 2020

Kai Havertz looked impressive upon his return to the sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Kai Havertz – 9
His run for Chelsea’s goal in the first half was excellent to get the assist, and he was silky receiving the ball under pressure.
His class on the ball was evident all game and he was pinnacle to all that Chelsea did well.
A strong candidate for man of the match if it wasn’t for the Giroud show.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 8
Very lively and showed some good skill with a few good runs down the wing, should have been picked out a couple of times by Pulisic when he was in a scoring position.
Full of energy and worked so hard all game.
Christian Pulisic – 8
Some very good skilful runs with the ball but guilty of not releasing it and picking out a pass.
He was a real menace to the Sevilla defence and will be pleased with a decent 60 odd minutes game time before coming off.
Olivier Giroud – 10
An excellent left-footed finish from the big man up top for Chelsea’s first half goal, and his second half goal with his right foot was an even better finish.
Giroud finished off a world class performance by scoring a third with his head to get ‘the perfect hat trick.’
Giroud then even had the cheek to step up and score his fourth late on from the spot.
He really sent a message to Frank Lampard tonight! MOTM.

Christian Pulisic was lively on the wing after putting his recent injury woe behind himCredit: Getty Images – Getty
SUBS
N’Golo Kante for Kovacic (67 mins) – 7
Provided a bit more stability in the middle and tracked the runners well.
Hakim Ziyech for Havertz (67 mins) – 7
Some really nice touches from him in the short time he had.
Mason Mount for Pulisic (67 mins) – 7
Almost scored within seconds of coming on and his energy was welcome.
Timo Werner for Giroud (84 mins) – N/A
Billy Gilmour for Jorinho (84 mins) – N/A
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

Frank Lampard reacts to Olivier Giroud masterclass in Chelsea’s 4-0 win at Sevilla More

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN scored a sublime flick to set Barcelona on their way to victory against Ferencvarosi.
The French forward expertly turned home from close range in Hungary.

Antoine Griezmann turned home Jordi Alba’s low cross with a neat backheel flickCredit: Reuters

Jordi Alba and Ousmane Dembele made good progress down the Barca left with 14 minutes on the clock.
The Spanish left-back fizzed in a low cross for Griezmann.
The ex-Atletico Madrid man – getting central in the absence of the rested Lionel Messi – got ahead of his marker Lasha Dvali.
And he made a clean connection with his trailing left heel to divert it beyond goalkeeper Denes Dibusz.

It was his third goal in as many games for the Catalan giants – including a thunderbolt of a volley against Osasuna on Sunday.
He had not managed that feat for the club since joining in July 2019 for £108million.
Six minutes later Martin Braithwaite – tipped with an exit in January – made it four goals in a week and three in two in the Champions League.
Dembele got himself on the scoresheet from the penalty spot to make it three within half an hour.

And that is how it finished in Budapest as Barcelona maintained their perfect record in Group G.
Their five wins from five sees them top of the group, three points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus ahead of their face-off next week to decide who goes through in first and second.

The Frenchman celebrates his third goal in as many games with Ousmane Dembele and AlbaCredit: AFP or licensors

Martin Braithwaite kept up his impressive record with his fourth goal in a weekCredit: AFP or licensors

Dembele sent the goalkeeper the wrong way as he dispatches his penaltyCredit: Reuters

Furious Barcelona fans surround Antoine Griezmann’s car and demand he show respect to Lionel Messi after bust-up More

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