Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Paul Clarke

Hakim Ziyech claim made as Gary Lineker hails Chelsea's 'underrated' star

Chelsea pulled off an important 1-0 win at home to Norwich City on Tuesday evening to strengthen their Champions League qualification hopes.

The third-placed Blues are now four points clear of both Leicester City and Manchester United with two games left, while both the Foxes and United have three matches remaining.

Olivier Giroud bagged the only goal of the contest at Stamford Bridge and there were plenty of talking points after the contest.

Here is the latest round-up of news on Chelsea.

Lampard wasn't pinning hopes on Man City Champions League decision

Chelsea's star men

It wasn't the most impressive win at home to Norwich City last night but Chelsea picked up the all important three points.

Chelsea correspondent Oliver Harbord offered up his player ratings for the club post-match and the likes of Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic earned sevens for their displays.

But it was Cesar Azpilicueta who led the way with eight.

Harbord wrote: "Looked the most dangerous Blues player at times on the right, with Norwich giving him space and he got into good positions to put in crosses.

"An excellent display down the right. Battled really hard defensively and always an outlet. Looked really up for it throughout."

Wright agrees with Van Gaal on Ziyech

Hakim Ziyech will be strutting his stuff in the Premier League next season for Chelsea and Ian Wright has provided his view on the midfielder.

Wright's assessment of Ziyech is similar to the verdict given by former Manchester United manager Van Gaal, who has described the playmaker as a 'special player'.

"The thing with Ziyech is that he’s one of those creative players and when you watch Chelsea, especially at home, I think they were expecting a bit more for their creative players," the Match of the Day pundit told the Metro.

“And then because of what Eden Hazard did for them, they had one particular player who in that role could make something happen.

“I think it’s a brilliant signing. If he can hit anywhere near the form [he’s shown for Ajax] it’s a fantastic signing.”

Giroud underrated says Lineker

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has claimed that Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is 'underrated'.

Giroud's goal was the difference against Norwich City as the Blues won 1-0 to move four points clear of Leicester City and Manchester United.

Lineker tweeted post-match: "I’ve always felt that @_OlivierGiroud_is underrated. Excellent all-round centre-forward’s game.

"Hold up play, movement in the box, finishing is all top class. Might lack a yard of pace of the greats, but doesn’t get the credit he deserves."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.