Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Olivier Giroud Stars in Derby Win

Chelsea have opened up a four-point lead inside the top four thanks to their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, where ex-Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scored the winning goal in Saturday's London derby.

Both goalkeepers were forced into early saves to keep things level on the scoreboard, but Chelsea eventually found their breakthrough through Giroud, who fired the ball inside Hugo Lloris' near post.

Chelsea needed less than three second-half minutes to double their lead, with Marcos Alonso picking out the bottom corner of the net after a stunning team move, where Giroud, Mason Mount and Ross Barkley all combined in the final third.

Things started to turn a little sour as Tottenham looked desperately to find a way back into the match and they did get on the scoresheet after Antonio Rüdiger turned a cross into the back of his own net, but Chelsea were able to hold on for all three points. 

Chelsea

Key Talking Point

Even before he put Chelsea into the lead, Olivier Giroud's inclusion in the starting lineup was causing Tottenham's defence all sorts of problems.

The France international was sticking to Tottenham's centre backs, creating space in between the lines for Mason Mount and Ross Barkley to pick up dangerous positions more freely, something which was vital for Giroud's opener.

Giroud's influence wasn't just felt in attack either, as the extra space for Mount and Barkley allowed them to press Tottenham on the front foot and force the visitors on the back foot, with all three players combining in the build-up to Chelsea's second goal.

Chelsea Player Ratings

Caballero (7); Azpilicueta (8), Christensen (7), Rudiger (6); James (7), Jorginho (7), Kovacic (7), Alonso (7); Barkley (7), Mount (8), Giroud (9).

Substitutes: Abraham (6), Willian (6).

Olivier Giroud

It was only Olivier Giroud's ninth appearance of the season, but the France international showed exactly why he should be ahead of Michy Batshuayi in the pecking order.

The 33-year-old rolled back the years with a fantastic run in the build-up to his goal, eventually picking out Hugo Lloris' near post with point accuracy.

Giroud was a nuisance for Tottenham's three centre backs throughout the match and his delicate header was crucial for Chelsea to double their lead through Marcos Alonso.

Tottenham Hotspur

Key Talking Point

It was a tactic which crashed and burned in uninspiring fashion against RB Leipzig in midweek, but José Mourinho opted once again to match his opponents' 3-5-2 formation.

Aside from Giovani Lo Celso and at times Tanguy Ndombele in midfield, every Tottenham player appeared to lose their 50-50 battles in each position across the pitch, combining tame attacking transitions with toothless defensive play.

Mourinho was scribbling in his notebook throughout the game, but all his side could muster was an occasional long ball in behind Chelsea's back three - something which was easily countered by the Blues dropping five yards deeper.

Tottenham Player Ratings

Lloris (6); Sanchez (5), Alderweireld (6), Vertonghen (5); Tanganga (5), Ndombele (5), Winks (6), Lo Celso (6), Davies (5); Moura (6), Bergwijn (5).

Substitutes: Lamela (6), Dele (6), Aurier (5).

Star Man?

Sorry, Tottenham fans. We need an intervention.

We've scoured social media to find any positive tweets about your players, and aside from being thankful when certain individuals were brought off, it's a barren wasteland out there if you're looking for any silver linings.

What's clear is that Mourinho's striker-less 3-5-2 just isn't working in the slightest. Without Harry Kane or Son Heung-min (or maybe even Troy Parrott?), Spurs are absolutely lost for ideas in the final third.

Looking Ahead

Chelsea have Champions League action to look forward to in midweek where they'll host Bayern Munich, with a trip to Bournemouth up next for Frank Lampard's side in the Premier League.

Tottenham welcome Wolves to north London next weekend before they look ahead to their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Norwich City.