On Saturday, Chelsea began the latest round in the Premier League with their early kick-off against Southampton. Conte’s men have struggled in recent games and were thus in need of a victory.
However, the Blues found themselves in deep trouble at the hour mark. Jan Bednarek had scored for the Saints to give the home side a 2-0 lead over the London giant who appeared destined for another defeat.
Fortunately for Chelsea, the introduction of Olivier Giroud saw last season’s Premier League champion mount an impressive comeback. The away side scored three goals in eight minutes to win the game 3-2.
The Frenchman was at the heart of this remarkable comeback. Despite only coming on in the 61st-minute for Alvaro Morata, he bagged a brace to help his new club earn all three points.
His first goal, which came only nine minutes after being substituted on, was his first in the English top-flight for the Stamford Bridge side. It also saw him reach an impressive feat.
That strike saw Giroud become the first player since 2011/12 to score an away goal against the same opponent for two different clubs in the same season. For those who forget, he scored at the St. Mary’s Stadium four months back in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.
The aforementioned record was one held by Mikel Arteta for over six years. The Spaniard netted at Blackburn for Everton and Arsenal at the beginning of the 2011/12 season after sealing his late Emirates Stadium switch.
2 - Olivier Giroud is the first player to score an away goal against the same opponent for different clubs in a single Premier League season since Mikel Arteta (for Everton and Arsenal v Blackburn 2011/12). Haunter. pic.twitter.com/cuCpTyk78G
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 14, 2018
Giroud’s display against the Saints was another perfect performance from the super sub. It also earned him tons of praise on Twitter. Check out the best tweets below.
60' - Southampton 2-0 Chelsea
— bet365 (@bet365) April 14, 2018
61' - Olivier Giroud comes on
70' - Olivier Giroud scores
79' - Olivier Giroud scores again
FT: Southampton 2-3 Chelsea
Man of the Match. pic.twitter.com/ba4UgcaVek
I just want to thank Olivier Giroud personally for always giving his best and performing every time he played - instant sub.
— WorldWideChels - ConteTweets (@WorldWideChels) April 14, 2018
You deserve to play every game.
Olivier Giroud has scored his 1st PL goal for Chelsea (8th app).
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 14, 2018
It’s his 1st PL goal since scoring 88th minute equaliser for Arsenal at St. Mary’s on December 10 #PL pic.twitter.com/E4bwCmxerX
Olivier Giroud wins Man of the Match. He is also love of my life.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 14, 2018