Chelsea’s win over Stade Rennais this evening proved yet again exactly why Olivier Giroud remains such an important member of the club’s squad, though it is Mason Mount who has since taken the majority of the plaudits.
Giroud decides it
Frank Lampard’s men made the trip to Roazhon Park a short time ago, for their latest Champions League test.
The Blues headed into proceedings amid a fine spell of form, which had seen them remain unbeaten across the club’s 9 outings in all competitions.
The latest of these came this past weekend, when Chelsea made short work of Newcastle, by 2 goals to nil.
Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham celebrates scoring his side’s second goal of the game during the Premier League match at St James’ Park, Newcastle. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby/PA Images via Getty Images)
The 90 minutes in France this evening, on the other hand, proved considerably more testing for the Londoners.
A game Rennes, much-improved from the side who fell to a deserved 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at the beginning of the month, came very close to bringing an end to Chelsea’s Group E dominance.
An entertaining affair, during which both sides could and should have added further to the scoreline, was eventually decided by a late, late header.
Chelsea took the lead just past the 20-minute mark, when a moment of brilliance saw Mason Mount win back possession, before releasing Callum Hudson-Odoi with a pinpoint pass.
And the Blues wide-man made no mistake with his finish, coolly slotting home at the near post:
What a pass that is! 👏
Mason Mount wins the ball and instantly slots Callum Hudson-Odoi through on goal to bag Chelsea’s opener!
The winger cooly picks his spot to finish the move 👌 pic.twitter.com/lGeFiu41F9
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 24, 2020
Rennes, though, as outlined above, stuck to their task, and soon worked their way back into proceedings.
On the back of a series of 2nd-half stops from Edouard Mendy, the resistance of the visitors was eventually broken 5 minutes from time.
A whipped corner from the right saw Serhou Guirassy rise highest, to direct a bullet header into the roof of the Chelsea net.
Just when it appeared as though the spoils were set to be shared, however, a familiar source made sure of all 3 points for Frank Lampard’s men, guiding the Blues into the Champions League’s last-16 in the process.
Only 24 hours after his manager reiterated his hope that the veteran hitman will remain at the club beyond the January window, Olivier Giroud repaid Lampard’s faith.
After Alfred Gomis appeared to have cleared the danger for Rennes with a fine stop, Giroud somehow reached the pitch of the ball in the heart of the hosts’ box, to nod home a trademark header:
Beast mode 🔛
Olivier Giroud only had his eyes on the ball there, and powered his header home! 💪
Chelsea are into the Champions League knockouts! pic.twitter.com/v8ksViwe6m
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 24, 2020
Marvelous Mount
As such, on the back of proceedings coming to a close at Roazhon Park, much of the chatter has since centered on Giroud’s late-game heroics.
The remainder of the post-match discussion, as it did throughout the 90 minutes this evening, however, has instead focused on teammate Mason Mount.
21-year-old Mount was handed yet another starting berth for the Pensioners on Tuesday, after carrying his fine recent spell of form onto international duty with England over the last couple of weeks.
And the gifted midfielder, who has long split opinion amongst fans, only went on to further silence his critics, with another superb display.
The first-half in particular saw Mount control the middle of the park, combining touch and an eye for a pass with an ever-impressive work rate.
The Chelsea youth product’s efforts, as outlined above, were rewarded when Mount bagged his first-ever assist in the Champions League, and in some style.
In turn, the Englishman has since been heaped in praise across social media, with some of the highlights showcased below:
Mason Mount’s game by numbers vs. Rennes:
100% shot accuracy
100% cross accuracy
100% take-ons completed
100% tackle success
3 take-ons
3 tackles
2 chances created
2 crosses
1 shot
1 assistPure class. #UCL pic.twitter.com/WwYaah4qge
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 24, 2020
Mason Mount is one of the most underrated footballers in Europe.
Prove us wrong. pic.twitter.com/roUmxKpptZ
— Goal (@goal) November 24, 2020
Mason Mount 👏🏻 Fantastic 👍🏻
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) November 24, 2020
There are people in the world who don’t think Mount is a top talent. Remarkable.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) November 24, 2020
That Chelsea goal is a perfect example of what Mason Mount is all about as a player.
Mason tracked back and won the ball off the Rennes player, then proceeded to immediately look forward and play a brilliant pass to CHO.
Mount is an integral part of Chelsea’s success.
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) November 24, 2020
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Chelsea’s win over Stade Rennais this evening proved yet again exactly why Olivier Giroud remains such an important member of the club’s squad, though it is Mason Mount who has since taken the majority of the plaudits. Giroud decides it Frank Lampard’s men made the trip to Roazhon Park a short time ago, for theirFootball (soccer) greatest goals and highlights | 101 Great Goals – Feed