Europa League: Chelsea destroy 10-man PAOK 4-0 at Stamford Bridge

Europa League: Chelsea destroy 10-man PAOK 4-0 at Stamford Bridge

- Olivier Giroud bagged a brace in the first stanza as Chelsea thrashed Greek side PAOK 4-0 in the Uefa Europa League


- Callum Hudson-Odoi netted his first senior goal on the 60th minute mark

- Alvaro Morata came in for Giroud and increased Chelsea’s advantage on the 78th minute

Olivier Giroud netted twice in the first stanza as Chelsea destroyed Greek side PAOK 4-0 on Thursday, November 29, in a Europa League clash at Stamford Bridge.

The encounter saw Yevhen Khacheridi receive a straight red card on the 7th minute as the home side cruised to a resounding win.

Callum Hudson-Odoi netted his first senior goal on the 60th minute to become the youngest player to score in the Europa League since October 2009.

Alvaro Morata came in for Giroud and increased Chelsea’s advantage on the 78th minute to seal a wonderful performance at Stamford Bridge.

A result that also saw Chelsea claim maximum points and a spot in the round of 32.

Giroud was handed a start as the Blues made 10 changes from the squad that suffered the 3-1 loss to Tottenham last weekend, and the Frenchman did not waste time to net the opener after collecting a stray pass and headed straight to goal.

Khacheridi unprofessionally hacked Giroud down and was sent off by Kristo Tohver on the seven minutes, making the game a difficult one for the away side.


The Blues forward pair Giroud and Pedro wasted goalscoring opportunities with their efforts, while Hudson-Odoi also had his moment to test PAOK goalie Alexandros Paschalakis.

Shot-stopper Paschalakis was at his best to keep out a powerful strike from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but when Pedro connected a pass for Giroud, he could not do much to stop the summer World Cup winner from netting his third goals in three games.

Moments later Giroud volleyed in a clever chip pass from Cesc Fabregas's without Paschalakis rooted at his near post.

Hudson-Odoi executed a skillful shot against the crossbar as the Blues held their own in the first-half to lead 2-0 at the break.

Paschalakis stopped Loftus-Cheek from registering his name on the score sheet as we approached the hour mark.


But on the 60th minute Hudson-Odoi got the goal he worked all day after passing the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The Blues also had time to add one more after Morata found space between two defenders to guide home Hudson-Odoi's cross just three minutes after coming off the subs the bench.

Willian who joined the proceeding in the second stanza failed to all to Chelsea's lead.

And Barkley could only find the roof of the net from his free kick in the final minute of play as Chelsea returned to winning ways after Tottenham defeat last weekend.

Meanwhile, Chelsea previously suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season at the Wembley after losing 3-1 to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, November 24.

Dele Alli opened scoring for the hosts after just eight minutes into the game through a fine header which slipped into Kepa Arrizabalaga hands.

His goal came from a well taken free kick by Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen which gave the home team the lead in the game.