Chronicle of the Chelsea-Liverpool 1-2 match
Glen Johnson snatched a late winner on the kill to snatch 3 points for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Maxi Rodríguez gave the Reds a deserved half-time lead with a clinical finish after a quick move from Liverpool. The lead lasted shortly after half time when Daniel Sturridge fired in from close range.
On a day when Fernando Torres and Raúl Meireles met their former club, it was Chelsea veteran Glen Johnson who got the last laugh on his former employers to give Liverpool a much-needed 1-2 win.
Manager Kenny Dalglish had made 3 changes to the team that faced Swansea. Dirk Kuyt was given the nod, as was Craig Bellamy, who Kenny hoped would recreate some of the form he displayed during the international break, where he was a pivotal figure for Wales against Norway. The team sheet also saw a surprise inclusion for Maxi Rodríguez, making him his first start of the season.
The game started lively, both teams were offering attacks and Maxi Rodríguez came close to scoring twice, but was denied by John Terry and Ivanovic and pushed out of the way. The Argentine was looking to capitalize on his unusual start and show manager Kenny what he has to offer.
Chelsea also offered a goal threat, with the likes of Juan Mata, Drogba and Lampard all starting and almost leading at the 10-minute mark. Florent Malouda brilliantly skipped right-back Glen Johnson’s pass, and sent a diving cross to the back post, but Mata was unable to capitalise, firing his shot head-on into goal. John Obi Mikel then attempted a bold goal-scoring effort from 25 yards, only for his shot to clear the crossbar.
Chelsea then seemed to take the lead, which was thought by thousands in the stadium and at home. Didier Drogba won a free kick on the edge of the box and stepped up to take it. The ball came out to have hit the back of the net, but on second glance it had narrowly missed the post and grazed the outside netting. A farewell for The Reds.
Soon it was Liverpool’s turn to threaten Chelsea’s goal again; John Terry lost the ball in a dangerous position to Dirk Kuyt, who released Suárez, fresh off a 4-goal demolition for Uruguay. But the striker couldn’t make out the forward from Maxi or Craig Bellamy.
Liverpool soon made up for previous missed chances. This time it was Mikel who set himself up inside his own half, quick pressure from Charlie Adam allowing Craig Bellamy to wrest the ball from him in a one-two with Suárez before feinting a shot past Maxi on the left, who was he was left with the simple task of placing it past goalkeeper Cech. A precise move saw Liverpool finally convert a chance, which has turned into a struggle of late.
The advantage was then extended to almost two. A defensive pass from Lucas Leiva passed through Luis Suárez, but the Uruguayans’ first cross was deflected by David Luiz and almost into the net.
With Chelsea behind, Villas Boas had to change things. Mikel was replaced by Daniel Sturridge at half time. The change seemed to have worked, they came out of the blocks quickly and created an opportunity instantly. Mata and Lampard had cleverly combined to release Drogba, but the Ivorian could only get the ball over the crossbar.
However, an equalizer came on 55 minutes. Malouda was allowed to move into the box, before his wild shot found Sturridge at the far post, who made no mistake and slotted it into the corner from close range.
Chelsea were on top and nearly made two, David Luiz’s touch from a resulting free-kick cleverly parried by Reina with an instinctive save.
Kenny Daglish looked for his bench to reinforce the midfield. Craig Bellamy gave way to Jordan Henderson, another player who shone during the international break.
An overhead kick from Malouda drew applause from the Chelsea crowd, but that’s where the honors ended as Reina watched as he slipped comfortably past the post. The Frenchman then had the best chance of the game to assert Chelsea’s dominance in the second half, but his shot from close range went wide.
Then former reds Torres and Meireles took their bow, greeted by a series of boos from the traveling Kop, drowning out the cheers of the home fans. But it was Liverpool who threatened, sublime skill from Henderson saw him pass Ashley Cole for the nutmeg and then evade a sliding challenge from John Terry, crossing for Downing, who dismissed Kuyt but the Dutchman’s shot was anything but. build up.
In the 87th minute, the match seemed headed for a draw, with neither team being able to land a knockout blow. Until Charlie Adam picked up the ball in central midfield and found former Blue Johnson with his trademark left-footed pass. The right-back hit Ashley Cole and entered the box meeting one-on-one with Petr Cech, finishing clinically with his left foot to give Liverpool the spoils. A deserved victory at Stamford Bridge for the second year in a row.