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Chitchat The Official TCSS Thread
- Thread starter Alamaking
- Start date
Chelsea make it 13 straight wins, Liverpool see off City, Man United win
Chelsea equalled the record for the most successive wins within a Premier League season after making it 13 on the bounce as they beat Stoke City 4-2 to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
Gary Cahill fired the Blues into the lead at Stamford Bridge inside 34 minutes, rising highest to head in Cesc Fabregas' corner, but Stoke came firing out of the traps after the break and found an equaliser when Bruno Martins Indi slotted home from close range.
Chelsea were back in front on 57 minutes as Willian fired in after being teed up by Eden Hazard, only for Stoke to equalise for the second time on 64 minutes as Peter Crouch converted Mame Biram Diouf's pass.
However, the visitors were level for just a minute with Willian grabbing his second of the afternoon, finding the back of the net after a brilliant ball from Fabregas, before Diego Costa made sure of the result with a strike from a tight angle five minutes from time.
Arsenal won 14 consecutive Premier League games, with 13 coming at the end of 2001-02 and the 14th in the first game of 2002-03. Chelsea can equal that record, and beat the record for wins in a row in one season, when they take on Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
Georginio Wijnaldum's early goal was enough for Liverpool to secure a 1-0 win over Manchester City to cut Chelsea's lead at the top down to six points.
The hosts scored with their first attempt in the eighth minute after Pablo Zabaleta allowed Adam Lallana plenty of room to cross into the box, with Wijnaldum rising above Aleksandar Kolarov to head home.
City's best opportunity to find an equaliser came 10 minutes into the second half when David Silva fired a shot inches wide of the post.
However, Liverpool were in control and saw out the game with few scares around Simon Mignolet's goal.
Manchester United extended their winning run in the Premier League to five games with a dramatic 2-1 win at home to Middlesbrough.
It was Boro who opened the scoring at Old Trafford, with Grant Leadbitter firing home on 67 minutes from Alvaro Negredo's knockdown.
United continued to attack and finally broke through on 85 minutes, when Anthony Martial latched onto Zlatan Ibrahimovic's knockdown to lash the ball past Victor Valdes.
That sparked a flurry of action as Boro saw a penalty appeal against Eric Bailly rejected at the other end before substitute Juan Mata crossed for Paul Pogba to head home the winner barely a minute after Martial's strike.
West Ham's three-match winning streak came to an end as Leicester City eased their relegation worries with a 1-0 victory at the King Power Stadium.
Islam Slimani broke the deadlock for Leicester inside 20 minutes, with the striker heading home Marc Albrighton's delivery.
West Ham attempted to find an equaliser, going close through Cheikhou Kouyate and Aaron Cresswell, but Leicester were able to hold on for the victory.
Hal Robson-Kanu scored the winner on his first start for West Bromwich Albion as they came from behind to beat 10-man Southampton 2-1.
Southampton opened the scoring at St Mary's in the 41st minute with Shane Long firing home a near-post header, but West Brom were level just two minutes later as Matt Phillips found the back of the net with a strike from 15 yards out.
Shortly after the restart and the Baggies had turned the game on its head, edging in front through Robson-Kanu, who rifled home into the top corner with a fine finish. Southampton, unable to find an equaliser, saw Virgil van Dijk dismissed at the death after picking up a second yellow card.
Managerless Swansea suffered a fourth straight defeat as Bournemouth recorded a 3-0 win at the Liberty Stadium.
Things did not start too well for rock-bottom Swansea, with Ki Sung-Yueng picking up the fastest yellow card in the Premier League this season after just 30 seconds following a foul on Ryan Fraser.
They soon got worse when Bournemouth took the lead after 25 minutes through Benik Afobe, who found the back of the net after taking advantage of a loose ball inside the box.
And Bournemouth soon doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Fraser bundled the ball over the line following a cutback from Junior Stanislas, with Josh King rounding off the scoring for the Cherries late on.
Andre Gray scored a hat trick as Burnley saw off Sunderland 4-1 at Turf Moor.
Burnley edged ahead after 29 minutes through Gray, who raced in on goal before slotting past Vito Mannone to bag his second goal in two games.
The 25-year-old then added another five minutes after the break after rounding Mannone and slotting into an empty net, before completing his hat trick just two minutes later with another strike past the Black Cats keeper.
Ashley Barnes made it four for Burnley, converting from the penalty spot in the 67th minute after Sebastian Larsson had fouled Scott Arfield, with Jermain Defoe then scoring a consolation for the visitors.
Chelsea equalled the record for the most successive wins within a Premier League season after making it 13 on the bounce as they beat Stoke City 4-2 to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
Gary Cahill fired the Blues into the lead at Stamford Bridge inside 34 minutes, rising highest to head in Cesc Fabregas' corner, but Stoke came firing out of the traps after the break and found an equaliser when Bruno Martins Indi slotted home from close range.
Chelsea were back in front on 57 minutes as Willian fired in after being teed up by Eden Hazard, only for Stoke to equalise for the second time on 64 minutes as Peter Crouch converted Mame Biram Diouf's pass.
However, the visitors were level for just a minute with Willian grabbing his second of the afternoon, finding the back of the net after a brilliant ball from Fabregas, before Diego Costa made sure of the result with a strike from a tight angle five minutes from time.
Arsenal won 14 consecutive Premier League games, with 13 coming at the end of 2001-02 and the 14th in the first game of 2002-03. Chelsea can equal that record, and beat the record for wins in a row in one season, when they take on Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
Georginio Wijnaldum's early goal was enough for Liverpool to secure a 1-0 win over Manchester City to cut Chelsea's lead at the top down to six points.
The hosts scored with their first attempt in the eighth minute after Pablo Zabaleta allowed Adam Lallana plenty of room to cross into the box, with Wijnaldum rising above Aleksandar Kolarov to head home.
City's best opportunity to find an equaliser came 10 minutes into the second half when David Silva fired a shot inches wide of the post.
However, Liverpool were in control and saw out the game with few scares around Simon Mignolet's goal.
Manchester United extended their winning run in the Premier League to five games with a dramatic 2-1 win at home to Middlesbrough.
It was Boro who opened the scoring at Old Trafford, with Grant Leadbitter firing home on 67 minutes from Alvaro Negredo's knockdown.
United continued to attack and finally broke through on 85 minutes, when Anthony Martial latched onto Zlatan Ibrahimovic's knockdown to lash the ball past Victor Valdes.
That sparked a flurry of action as Boro saw a penalty appeal against Eric Bailly rejected at the other end before substitute Juan Mata crossed for Paul Pogba to head home the winner barely a minute after Martial's strike.
West Ham's three-match winning streak came to an end as Leicester City eased their relegation worries with a 1-0 victory at the King Power Stadium.
Islam Slimani broke the deadlock for Leicester inside 20 minutes, with the striker heading home Marc Albrighton's delivery.
West Ham attempted to find an equaliser, going close through Cheikhou Kouyate and Aaron Cresswell, but Leicester were able to hold on for the victory.
Hal Robson-Kanu scored the winner on his first start for West Bromwich Albion as they came from behind to beat 10-man Southampton 2-1.
Southampton opened the scoring at St Mary's in the 41st minute with Shane Long firing home a near-post header, but West Brom were level just two minutes later as Matt Phillips found the back of the net with a strike from 15 yards out.
Shortly after the restart and the Baggies had turned the game on its head, edging in front through Robson-Kanu, who rifled home into the top corner with a fine finish. Southampton, unable to find an equaliser, saw Virgil van Dijk dismissed at the death after picking up a second yellow card.
Managerless Swansea suffered a fourth straight defeat as Bournemouth recorded a 3-0 win at the Liberty Stadium.
Things did not start too well for rock-bottom Swansea, with Ki Sung-Yueng picking up the fastest yellow card in the Premier League this season after just 30 seconds following a foul on Ryan Fraser.
They soon got worse when Bournemouth took the lead after 25 minutes through Benik Afobe, who found the back of the net after taking advantage of a loose ball inside the box.
And Bournemouth soon doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Fraser bundled the ball over the line following a cutback from Junior Stanislas, with Josh King rounding off the scoring for the Cherries late on.
Andre Gray scored a hat trick as Burnley saw off Sunderland 4-1 at Turf Moor.
Burnley edged ahead after 29 minutes through Gray, who raced in on goal before slotting past Vito Mannone to bag his second goal in two games.
The 25-year-old then added another five minutes after the break after rounding Mannone and slotting into an empty net, before completing his hat trick just two minutes later with another strike past the Black Cats keeper.
Ashley Barnes made it four for Burnley, converting from the penalty spot in the 67th minute after Sebastian Larsson had fouled Scott Arfield, with Jermain Defoe then scoring a consolation for the visitors.
Cannot see anyone catching Chelsea. A completely different level to all other teams this season.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for David Moyes...cannot even beat lowly Burnley.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for David Moyes...cannot even beat lowly Burnley.
Sunderland vs Liverpool K.O 11pm tonite.
Hopefully this will be Moyes last game in charge.
Fernandinho of Man City sent off against Burnley! Sunderland drawing 1-1 with Liverpool! But most importantly, QPR leading Ipswich 1-0! Come on you RRRRRRrrrrsssss!!!
OIivier Giroud celebration fiasco: Ire should be for Arsenal performance
By Andrew Mangan
espnfc.com
In the 1986 classic comedy Three Amigos, cruel bandit leader El Guapo, frustrated that his evil ways are being hindered by the eponymous trio, castigates one of his men, Jefe, for not knowing the true meaning of the word "plethora".
It leads Jefe to say: "Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education. But could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?"
In much the same way, criticism of Olivier Giroud for his celebration when he scored an injury time equaliser against Bournemouth on Tuesday night feels like misplaced anger.
The French international was clearly lost in the moment, like many players when they score an important goal, and instead of grabbing the ball and racing back to the centre-circle he chose to enjoy the fact he'd scored and brought Arsenal level in a game which looked beyond them for long periods.
It led to an outpouring of criticism and suggestions he lacked the right mentality. He was held up in stark contrast to teammate Alexis Sanchez who, at the final whistle, tore off his gloves and threw them to the ground in frustration at two points dropped.
There are two things to point out here. Firstly, even if Giroud had hurried back and placed the ball on the spot for kickoff, there's nothing to suggest that Bournemouth -- down to 10 men let's not forget -- would have acted with the same urgency. Gutted at having let a three-goal lead slip and with the momentum of the game very much in Arsenal's favour, chances are they would have taken their time anyway.
Secondly, questions about Giroud's mentality don't really add up either. People like to read a lot into body language, and on a night when Arsenal undoubtedly let two crucial Premier League points slip, the kind of frustrated posturing we saw from Sanchez resonates more greatly.
Fans can easily identify with that, after a performance and result that was ultimately disappointing -- even if you have made a superb comeback in the last 20 minutes. Kick some hoardings, berate a teammate, throw your arms up in the air -- you're a winner who won't accept anything but the best.
Sanchez's ambition to win is unquestionable but players are not identikit. They come in all shapes, sizes, and characters. On the face of it, Giroud's celebrations were a little ostentatious, but to question his desire after he, more than anyone, helped spark that comeback seems wide of the mark. He provided assists for the first two goals -- from Sanchez and substitute Lucas Perez -- before heading home the equaliser in the second minute of injury time.
Is that not a far greater measure of his mentality and contribution than a few seconds in which he took some joy from what was a very important goal for his club?
Much like Jefe and El Guapo, the ire is misplaced. It should be focused on a first half, and a good chunk of the second, in which Arsenal were a long way from their best. While Arsene Wenger certainly has some reason to be critical of the schedule, it doesn't excuse the lapses in concentration from his players.
There is, of course, a correlation between fatigue and decision-making, but if you're a team hoping to win the Premier League title, you have to be able to dig deep in games like this.
Aaron Ramsey and Hector Bellerin switched off for Bournemouth's first goal while Granit Xhaka made a stupid foul as the home side went 2-0 up from the penalty spot. Then in the second half, the Gunners can have some valid complaints over the third from Ryan Fraser and a foul on Bellerin in the build-up.
Having got themselves back on track with two successive wins and two clean sheets, the team's ability to self-destruct manifested itself again, and that's something fans have seen from Arsene Wenger sides.
Arsenal gave themselves a mountain to climb in the first hour of the game, and that's where the anger should be directed -- not at a player who did more than anyone to help them then reach the summit.
By Andrew Mangan
espnfc.com
In the 1986 classic comedy Three Amigos, cruel bandit leader El Guapo, frustrated that his evil ways are being hindered by the eponymous trio, castigates one of his men, Jefe, for not knowing the true meaning of the word "plethora".
It leads Jefe to say: "Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education. But could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?"
In much the same way, criticism of Olivier Giroud for his celebration when he scored an injury time equaliser against Bournemouth on Tuesday night feels like misplaced anger.
The French international was clearly lost in the moment, like many players when they score an important goal, and instead of grabbing the ball and racing back to the centre-circle he chose to enjoy the fact he'd scored and brought Arsenal level in a game which looked beyond them for long periods.
It led to an outpouring of criticism and suggestions he lacked the right mentality. He was held up in stark contrast to teammate Alexis Sanchez who, at the final whistle, tore off his gloves and threw them to the ground in frustration at two points dropped.
There are two things to point out here. Firstly, even if Giroud had hurried back and placed the ball on the spot for kickoff, there's nothing to suggest that Bournemouth -- down to 10 men let's not forget -- would have acted with the same urgency. Gutted at having let a three-goal lead slip and with the momentum of the game very much in Arsenal's favour, chances are they would have taken their time anyway.
Secondly, questions about Giroud's mentality don't really add up either. People like to read a lot into body language, and on a night when Arsenal undoubtedly let two crucial Premier League points slip, the kind of frustrated posturing we saw from Sanchez resonates more greatly.
Fans can easily identify with that, after a performance and result that was ultimately disappointing -- even if you have made a superb comeback in the last 20 minutes. Kick some hoardings, berate a teammate, throw your arms up in the air -- you're a winner who won't accept anything but the best.
Sanchez's ambition to win is unquestionable but players are not identikit. They come in all shapes, sizes, and characters. On the face of it, Giroud's celebrations were a little ostentatious, but to question his desire after he, more than anyone, helped spark that comeback seems wide of the mark. He provided assists for the first two goals -- from Sanchez and substitute Lucas Perez -- before heading home the equaliser in the second minute of injury time.
Is that not a far greater measure of his mentality and contribution than a few seconds in which he took some joy from what was a very important goal for his club?
Much like Jefe and El Guapo, the ire is misplaced. It should be focused on a first half, and a good chunk of the second, in which Arsenal were a long way from their best. While Arsene Wenger certainly has some reason to be critical of the schedule, it doesn't excuse the lapses in concentration from his players.
There is, of course, a correlation between fatigue and decision-making, but if you're a team hoping to win the Premier League title, you have to be able to dig deep in games like this.
Aaron Ramsey and Hector Bellerin switched off for Bournemouth's first goal while Granit Xhaka made a stupid foul as the home side went 2-0 up from the penalty spot. Then in the second half, the Gunners can have some valid complaints over the third from Ryan Fraser and a foul on Bellerin in the build-up.
Having got themselves back on track with two successive wins and two clean sheets, the team's ability to self-destruct manifested itself again, and that's something fans have seen from Arsene Wenger sides.
Arsenal gave themselves a mountain to climb in the first hour of the game, and that's where the anger should be directed -- not at a player who did more than anyone to help them then reach the summit.
Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino hails Antonio Conte's 'ruthless' Chelsea
By Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham correspondent
from espnfc.com
Mauricio Pochettino has heralded Antonio Conte's tactical nous and smooth transition to English football with Chelsea clear at the top of the Premier League.
Pochettino's Tottenham host Chelsea at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, aiming to stop their rivals recording a record-equalling 14th straight win and stretching their lead at the top of the table to eight points.
Since losing 3-0 at Arsenal in September, Conte has switched to a 3-4-3 formation, with Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso as wing-backs, and Chelsea have not looked back, scoring 32 and conceding four -- and they secured a 2-1 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in November.
"You don't win 13 games in a row if you don't have solid foundations in terms of your game and your character," Pochettino, who remembers facing Conte in a friendly in 1998, when the Italian was at Juventus and he was at Espanyol, told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Conte is doing an excellent job. He's settled into the most difficult league in the world really well. The Premier League is a marathon without breaks -- it takes energy out of you in industrial quantities.
"Conte did well in identifying the best system for his team very quickly. He started with one idea but was intelligent to change direction.
"Moses and Alonso are fundamental because, with their running, they allow Pedro and [Eden] Hazard to take breaks now and again. They are key players for Chelsea's game and hatching that plan also shows how good Conte is.
"A year ago, Antonio came to visit us at Spurs. At the time, he was Italy manager. He followed our training and then we went for lunch, where we talked about tactics and management of the dressing room. We spent three really pleasant hours together.
"I always open the doors to my house to my colleagues. Exchanging ideas is enriching, spying is something completely different."
Looking back on the defeat in November, Pochettino added: "In the first half, Tottenham played better. Chelsea emerged over the distance and were very clinical. We would have deserved a draw, but Conte's team are ruthless. They've got experienced players who are used to challenging for titles.
"I think positively and believe that we can stop Chelsea [on Wednesday]. Conte is a man of the game -- he will understand that."
A Chelsea win would leave Tottenham 13 points behind the leaders, who ended Spurs' hopes of a maiden Premier League title last season after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in May -- a result that confirmed Leicester City as champions.
Before that game, Hazard and Cesc Fabregas said they wanted Leicester to pip Tottenham to the championship but Pochettino believes the tables have turned and says the whole Premier League will be backing his side this week.
"This is football. It's normal that it's like this. Everybody joins forces to beat the leaders, only it happened against us last season," he said. "We were second, but everybody was on Leicester's side.
"I can understand the reasons for it, though. The story of Ranieri's Leicester was truly extraordinary.
"The key game for us was a different one -- the defeat in the derby with West Ham on March 2. Then we drew with WBA, and then there was the 2-2 with Chelsea.
"My team is young and experience is fundamental in certain moments. Bigger players would maybe have been able to give that bit more in crucial phases, but you can't be at your very best for 10 months of the year.
"We are right in the middle of a process of growth and it's just a matter of time. We need to keep calm. We will also win something big one day."
By Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham correspondent
from espnfc.com
Mauricio Pochettino has heralded Antonio Conte's tactical nous and smooth transition to English football with Chelsea clear at the top of the Premier League.
Pochettino's Tottenham host Chelsea at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, aiming to stop their rivals recording a record-equalling 14th straight win and stretching their lead at the top of the table to eight points.
Since losing 3-0 at Arsenal in September, Conte has switched to a 3-4-3 formation, with Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso as wing-backs, and Chelsea have not looked back, scoring 32 and conceding four -- and they secured a 2-1 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in November.
"You don't win 13 games in a row if you don't have solid foundations in terms of your game and your character," Pochettino, who remembers facing Conte in a friendly in 1998, when the Italian was at Juventus and he was at Espanyol, told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Conte is doing an excellent job. He's settled into the most difficult league in the world really well. The Premier League is a marathon without breaks -- it takes energy out of you in industrial quantities.
"Conte did well in identifying the best system for his team very quickly. He started with one idea but was intelligent to change direction.
"Moses and Alonso are fundamental because, with their running, they allow Pedro and [Eden] Hazard to take breaks now and again. They are key players for Chelsea's game and hatching that plan also shows how good Conte is.
"A year ago, Antonio came to visit us at Spurs. At the time, he was Italy manager. He followed our training and then we went for lunch, where we talked about tactics and management of the dressing room. We spent three really pleasant hours together.
"I always open the doors to my house to my colleagues. Exchanging ideas is enriching, spying is something completely different."
Looking back on the defeat in November, Pochettino added: "In the first half, Tottenham played better. Chelsea emerged over the distance and were very clinical. We would have deserved a draw, but Conte's team are ruthless. They've got experienced players who are used to challenging for titles.
"I think positively and believe that we can stop Chelsea [on Wednesday]. Conte is a man of the game -- he will understand that."
A Chelsea win would leave Tottenham 13 points behind the leaders, who ended Spurs' hopes of a maiden Premier League title last season after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in May -- a result that confirmed Leicester City as champions.
Before that game, Hazard and Cesc Fabregas said they wanted Leicester to pip Tottenham to the championship but Pochettino believes the tables have turned and says the whole Premier League will be backing his side this week.
"This is football. It's normal that it's like this. Everybody joins forces to beat the leaders, only it happened against us last season," he said. "We were second, but everybody was on Leicester's side.
"I can understand the reasons for it, though. The story of Ranieri's Leicester was truly extraordinary.
"The key game for us was a different one -- the defeat in the derby with West Ham on March 2. Then we drew with WBA, and then there was the 2-2 with Chelsea.
"My team is young and experience is fundamental in certain moments. Bigger players would maybe have been able to give that bit more in crucial phases, but you can't be at your very best for 10 months of the year.
"We are right in the middle of a process of growth and it's just a matter of time. We need to keep calm. We will also win something big one day."
Chelsea well beaten last nite by a well organised Spurs team. The title is Chelsea's to lose.
FA Cup begins for the premier league teams this weekend!
Games to look out for:
West Ham United vs Manchester City (ko 3.55am 7 Jan SG time)
Everton vs Leicester City (ko 11 pm 7 Jan SG time)
Hull City vs Swansea City (ko 11 pm 7 Jan SG time) - new managers for both, Marco Silva and Paul Clement respectively
Sunderland vs Burnley (ko 11 pm 7 Jan SG time) - manager most likely to be sacked next vs manager least likely to be sacked next.
Games to look out for:
West Ham United vs Manchester City (ko 3.55am 7 Jan SG time)
Everton vs Leicester City (ko 11 pm 7 Jan SG time)
Hull City vs Swansea City (ko 11 pm 7 Jan SG time) - new managers for both, Marco Silva and Paul Clement respectively
Sunderland vs Burnley (ko 11 pm 7 Jan SG time) - manager most likely to be sacked next vs manager least likely to be sacked next.
FA Cup: Arsenal leave it late, Man United cruise, Leicester comeback
Olivier Giroud's late goal helped Arsenal recover from an early setback to beat Preston North End 2-1 at Deepdale and book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The hosts made a dream start when they went ahead through Callum Robinson in the seventh minute. And they could have extended their lead against a lacklustre Gunners side that failed to get going. Preston's Tom Clarke, Jordan Hugill and Paul Gallagher all drawing saves from David Ospina or missing good chances.
Arsene Wenger did something to shake Arsenal out of their slumber at half time as Aaron Ramsey levelled within a minute of the restart with a curling effort from the edge of the box. But they failed to build on that goal until Giroud, named captain for the day, scored a last-minute winner from close range following Lucas Perez's backheel.
FA Cup holders Manchester United began their defence of the FA Cup with a 4-0 third round win against Reading at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney put United ahead in the seventh minute, with a strike that equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time goal scoring record for the club and United doubled their advantage in the 15th minute through Anthony Martial, who played a smart one-two with Rooney before dispatching a low finish into the corner of the goal.
Rashford rounded off the victory with two late strikes to end a run of 18 games without a goal. The first came after 75 minutes, Rashford latching on to a precise long pass from Michael Carrick to get in behind the Reading defence and score. And four minutes later the 19-year-old took advantage of a mistake by Ali Al-Habsi to dispossess the goalkeeper and tap in from close range.
Everton were knocked out 2-1 by Leicester City after Romelu Lukaku had scored his seventh goal in as many FA Cup ties.
Ahmed Musa quickly levelled Lukaku's opener before the Foxes substitute grabbed a 71st-minute winner to avenge their Premier League defeat to Everton on Boxing Day.
Olivier Giroud's late goal helped Arsenal recover from an early setback to beat Preston North End 2-1 at Deepdale and book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The hosts made a dream start when they went ahead through Callum Robinson in the seventh minute. And they could have extended their lead against a lacklustre Gunners side that failed to get going. Preston's Tom Clarke, Jordan Hugill and Paul Gallagher all drawing saves from David Ospina or missing good chances.
Arsene Wenger did something to shake Arsenal out of their slumber at half time as Aaron Ramsey levelled within a minute of the restart with a curling effort from the edge of the box. But they failed to build on that goal until Giroud, named captain for the day, scored a last-minute winner from close range following Lucas Perez's backheel.
FA Cup holders Manchester United began their defence of the FA Cup with a 4-0 third round win against Reading at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney put United ahead in the seventh minute, with a strike that equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time goal scoring record for the club and United doubled their advantage in the 15th minute through Anthony Martial, who played a smart one-two with Rooney before dispatching a low finish into the corner of the goal.
Rashford rounded off the victory with two late strikes to end a run of 18 games without a goal. The first came after 75 minutes, Rashford latching on to a precise long pass from Michael Carrick to get in behind the Reading defence and score. And four minutes later the 19-year-old took advantage of a mistake by Ali Al-Habsi to dispossess the goalkeeper and tap in from close range.
Everton were knocked out 2-1 by Leicester City after Romelu Lukaku had scored his seventh goal in as many FA Cup ties.
Ahmed Musa quickly levelled Lukaku's opener before the Foxes substitute grabbed a 71st-minute winner to avenge their Premier League defeat to Everton on Boxing Day.
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