Bate Borisov 0-1 Chelsea: Giroud goal confirms last 32 Europa League spot

Maurizio Sarri says Olivier Giroud is "very important" to Chelsea after the forward's first goal since May put the Blues into the last 32 of the Europa League.

"I'm pleased for him," Sarri said. "I know strikers want to score. And so for his confidence, I think it's very important.

"I don't want him to be worried about scoring, because for us he's very important, a very, very useful player for the team."

Chelsea are now six points clear of Hungarian side MOL Vidi, who moved up to second in the group with a win over PAOK Salonika.

Despite the chilly conditions in Belarus, a white-hot atmosphere had greeted Sarri's side at a tightly-packed Borisov Arena.

And it was the hosts, who had confirmed their 13th consecutive Belarusian league title on Sunday, who initially went on the offensive.

During a 60-second period, Bate twice carved out opportunities with Dmitri Baga's rasping drive hitting the post and Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga athletically saving Stanislav Dragun's header from a corner.

But as Chelsea grew more assured, the hosts retreated, and Giroud finally registered his goal.

That prompted a strong response from Bate who created a glut of chances to level.

But Nikolai Signevich struck the left post, Aleksey Rios blazed over and Baga again hit the post from close range as the Blues held on to win.

Giroud off the mark

Despite France's exploits in winning the World Cup in Russia in the summer, it was hardly a vintage tournament for Giroud who ended it without registering a single shot on target in 546 minutes of action.

And the prospects of an early-season pick-me-up were hardly assisted by his late return to training six days before the Premier League campaign started.

As a consequence, the 32-year-old has struggled for sharpness and to integrate into a style of play that is evolving under Sarri.

However, in his 12th match of the campaign and 794 minutes from his last goal in Chelsea colours, against Liverpool on 6 May, Giroud made a decisive contribution.

Tellingly, the 6ft 3in forward delivered it with a textbook downward header from Emerson's pinpoint left-wing cross to underline the value his aerial prowess offers in tight games.

Hazard toils on return

While Sarri made seven alterations to the Chelsea team that defeated Crystal Palace 3-1 on Sunday, Eden Hazard was his most notable inclusion.

The Belgium international had missed three matches with a back problem before being introduced from the bench against Palace.

And this appeared the perfect opportunity for Sarri to give Hazard a match-sharpening run-out ahead of their weekend fixture against Everton.

The 27-year-old, making his first start in the competition, was given just over an hour and, in truth, struggled, perhaps justifying Sarri's desire to put more minutes into his legs.

Though Chelsea enjoyed almost 74% of possession, Hazard was largely anonymous, making 46 passes and touching the ball 65 times before he was withdrawn.

Man of the match - Ross Barkley (Chelsea)

'One more point needed' - what they said

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri: "I think the first target in this competition was to qualify and now the second target is to win our group, so I think we need one more point [to top the group].

"It's very important because then we can talk again about this competition in February, when we will have another target."

'Sarri's group stage pedigree' - the stats

• Bate have lost on each of the three occasions they have hosted an English side in Europe (also 1-2 vs Everton in Oct 2009 and 2-4 vs Arsenal in Sep 2017).
• Chelsea have won four consecutive games in European competition for the first time since April 2012, when they went on to win the Champions League.
• Sarri has won all 10 of his Europa League group-stage games as a manager, with his sides scoring 28 goals while conceding just four in return.
• Three Englishmen started for Chelsea against Bate (Ross Barkley, Gary Cahill, Ruben Loftus-Cheek), the most for the Blues in European competition since April 2014 vs Atletico Madrid (Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, John Terry).
• Giroud scored his first goal for Chelsea since netting against Liverpool in May - he had gone 14 games, 793 minutes and 24 shots without scoring.

What's next?

Chelsea return to domestic action on Sunday 11 November when they host Everton in the Premier League (14:15 GMT). The Blues host PAOK Salonika in their next Europa League fixture on Thursday 29 November (20:00 GMT).

Bate Borisov travel to Shakhtyor in the Belarusian league on Wednesday 21 November (15:00 GMT). They return to Europa League action on Thursday 29 November when they host MOL Vidi (17:55 GMT)