Chelsea v Southampton – story of the match
Olivier Giroud returned to haunt Southampton in the FA Cup after inspiring a comeback in the the Premier League.
Olivier Giroud proved the scourge of Southampton once again, setting Chelsea on course for FA Cup semi-final success and a mouth-watering clash with Manchester United.
A week after coming off the bench to net a brace and inspire a remarkable comeback win at embattled Saints in the Premier League, the 31-year-old returned to haunt Mark Hughes’ side at Wembley.
Southampton’s first FA Cup semi-final appearance since 2003 ended in disappointment as Giroud showed impressive composure to slot home a goal added to by substitute Alvaro Morata as Chelsea ran out 2-0 victors.
Tweet of the match
Star man
Moment of the match
Giroud tiptoed round, through, under and over four Saints defenders, then applied a fine finish too, as Chelsea stole the lead less than 30 seconds into the second half.
Stat of the day
Ratings
Chelsea: Willy Caballero 6, Cesar Azpilicueta 7, Gary Cahill 7, Antonio Rudiger 6, Victor Moses 6, Cesc Fabregas 7, N’Golo Kante 8, Emerson Palmieri 6, Willian 7, Eden Hazard 9, Olivier Giroud 8. Substitutes: Pedro (for Fabregas 76) 7, Tiemoue Bakayoko (for Willian, 64) 7, alvaro Morata (for Giroud, 80) 8.
Southampton: Alex McCarthy 6, Cedric Soares 5, Wesley Hoedt 5, Maya Yoshida 4, Jan Bednarek 5, Ryan Bertrand 5, Mario Lemina 5, Oriol Romeu 4, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 4, Charlie Austin 5, Shane Long 4. Substitutes: Manolo Gabbiadini (for Bednarek, 78) 3, Nathan Redmond (for Hojbjerg, 63) 5, Dusan Tadic (for Long, 63) 5.
Who’s up next?
Swansea v Chelsea, Premier League, Saturday, April 28
Southampton v Bournemouth, Premier League, Saturday, April 28
