Chelsea intensify race for a place in next season’s Champions League

London: Chelsea intensified the race for a place in next season's Champions League after Olivier Giroud scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge as they beat Liverpool.

The result saw them capitalise on Tottenham's defeat at West Brom on Saturday to take the race for the top four into the final week of the season.

Deemed surplus to requirements by Arsene Wenger, Olivier Giroud has wasted little time carving out a role for himself at Chelsea.

The France striker underlined his potent presence with the decisive goal to keep Chelsea in the Champions League race.

Blues boss Antonio Conte opted to stick with Giroud as the spearhead of his attack in place of the off-form Alvaro Morata.

Where Morata has struggled to adapt to the physical demands of English football, Giroud is well versed in the aggressive nature needed to thrive in Premier League penalty areas.

His aerial prowess came to the fore in the first half at Stamford Bridge when he muscled in front of Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren and headed in his fifth Chelsea goal since his January move.

Chelsea still need one more defeat for Spurs or Liverpool to have matters back in their own hands, but if they do return to the Champions League, Giroud's goal worth its weight in gold.