Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea ran out 1-0 victors against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.

Liverpool looked dominant in the early exchanges and came close to taking the lead in the third minute but Roberto Firminio’s effort was easily kept out by the goalkeeper.

The Reds continued with their patient build up and were presented with further opportunities to score, but Sadio Mane proved wasteful with a number of efforts.

Chelsea took the lead with a stroke of luck in the 32nd minute when Victor Moses’ deflected cross found Olivier Giroud in the area, whose header gave Lorius Karius no chance.

The home side could have doubled their lead a minute later but nobody was unable to latch onto Cesc Fabregas’ ball into the area.

Liverpool continued to look the better temam for the remainder of the first-half, but a mixture of resolute defending by the Blues and quality goalkeeping by Thibaut Courtois ensured the home side went into the half-time break with the lead.

Chelsea frustrated The Reds for large spells of the second-half, whch resulted in the encounter becoming a dreary affair with little goalmouth action.

Liverpool made two changes in a bid to equalise matters with Jordan Henderson and Dominic Solanke replacing Nathaniel Clyne and Andrew Robertson.

Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso came agonisingly close to scoring what would have been goal of the season, when he latched onto Victor Moses’ cross into the area, but his dipping volley went inches wide of the effort.

Jurgen Klopp’s side did everything they could in a bid to garner something from the clash, however they were unable to do so as Chelsea ran out 1-0 victors to keep their chances of securing an automatic Champions League berth alive.

In the other Premier League game:

Arsenal 5-0 Burnley

Photo: Premier League website

-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za