Giroud, Hudson-Odoi lead Chelsea to easy win over 10-man PAOK

Chelsea have romped to a comfortable 4-0 win over PAOK, who had to play the match with 10 men for 84 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

A much-changed Blues were too good for the Greek leaders in their Europa League clash, and led through a first-half double from Olivier Giroud.

Chelsea extended their lead in the second half as Callum Hudson-Odoi scored his first ever goal for the club, and the 18-year-old capped a promising performance by turning provider as Alvaro Morata broke his goal drought in scoring their fourth.

AS IT HAPPENED: Chelsea 4 PAOK 0

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Despite already being guaranteed top spot in the group, it was a welcome win for Maurizio Sarri after question marks were being raised over his team’s style and personnel following back-to-back matches without a win.

Sarri made 10 changes, with only goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga keeping his spot from the Blues’ damaging 3-1 defeat at Tottenham on Saturday.

Despite the changes, Sarri’s fringe players ensured it was one-way traffic at Stamford Bridge almost from the first minute.

The match was virtually decided in the seventh minute when defender Yevhen Khacheridi’s was sent off.

The Ukrainian international was left little choice when Leo Matos’ horrible backpass put him under pressure; the defender tried to reach the ball first but only succeeded in hauling down Olivier Giroud as the striker as bared down on goal.

Against 10 men, Cesc Fabregas and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were free to pull the strings in midfield, and after a couple of close calls the Blues’ opening goal inevitably came in the 25th minute.

Fabregas started it when his lovely through ball found countryman Pedro, who controlled it wonderfully before rolling the ball to Giroud. The striker took it on first time and stroked the ball into the corner from 15 yards.

Far from sitting back, Chelsea almost doubled their lead immediately when Hudson-Odoi rattled the bar. Goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis then had to reach and bat away a dangerous cross from Pedro.

The floodgates were threatening to open and the second goal did eventually come from Giroud.

Fabregas was at the heart of it again – his fabulous lofted pass found Giroud, who volleyed with his left foot into the net from a tight angle about seven yards out.

There was almost time for a third before halftime, but Pedro mis-hit his shot – he kicked the ball into trailing leg – and the ball was cleared off the line.

To their credit, the Greek Superleague side were much improved after the break.

They were able to build a couple of attacks with substitute Amr Warda looking lively, but they struggled to break down the Blues’ defence and Kepa remained largely untroubled in goal.

By committing numbers forward it meant Chelsea were a chance on the break and Loftus-Cheek nearly extended their lead but his powerful shot was tipped wide by Paschalakis.

Chelsea then killed the game off once and for all through Callum Hudson-Odoi’s first goal for the club.

The teenaged winger picked up the ball at the left-hand corner of the box, shuffled forward and wrong-footed the keeper to beat him at his near post.

He then turned provider as his cross was turned home by Morata, the replacement scoring with his first touch of the game.

The win means Chelsea have maximum points from their five matches in the Europa League look back on a track after their mini-wobble against Everton and Tottenham.