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Football London
Football London
Sport
Robert Warlow

The moment of 'sheer magic' that had BBC pundit purring in Chelsea's win against Tottenham

Garth Crooks has heaped praise on the quality of Chelsea's second goal in the 2-1 win against Tottenham on Saturday.

Marcos Alonso netted the second goal of the game at Stamford Bridge as he arrowed a shot into the bottom corner from just outside the box, following a good move from the Blues.

It was a key moment in the game as Chelsea doubled their advantage early in the second half, after Olivier Giroud had given the Blues the lead in the first half.

And former Tottenham forward has heaped praise on Alonso and the goal itself, having included the Spaniard in his team of the week.

Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham: Frank Lampard post-match press conference

"The ball by [Marcos] Alonso for Mason Mount in the early exchanges of this London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham was an immediate reminder of how much I, and indeed the Blues, had missed the quality of his left foot," he said, in his team of the week feature for the BBC website.

"Only minutes later we saw a lovely volley flash over the bar with his weaker right foot. But what took place thereafter was a moment of sheer magic.

"Three minutes into the second half saw the most exquisite first-time ball from Ross Barkley set up a glorious strike by Alonso that put the game beyond Spurs."

Crooks also included Giroud in his team of the week, with the Frenchman netting his first Premier League goal of the season for Chelsea.

And the BBC pundit hinted that his performance gives Blues head coach Frank Lampard a decision to make up front.

"It may have been his first league start since the end of November, but [Olivier] Giroud doesn't seem to have lost his desire to score goals or lead the Chelsea front-line," he said.

"The France forward's first league goal for 10 months was a fabulous strike.

"Giroud's emergence from the shadows gives manager Frank Lampard options, especially as [Michy] Batshuayi is in such poor form and Tammy Abraham is still coming to terms with his first full season in the Premier League.

"Giroud must have been relieved to get on the score-sheet against Spurs, and that infernal contraption they call VAR didn't chalk off yet another perfectly worked goal as it did against Manchester United. Goals are far too difficult to come by as it is."

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