Reds and Blues share spoils at Stamford Bridge




It was a match where two Chelsea players were the talking point as John Terry returned to domestic football after completing his suspension and Fernando Torres once again faced his previous team.

Luis Suarez equalised late on

Luis Suarez equalised late on

Chelsea were without the injured David Luiz and Ivanovic filled in for him at the center with young Spanish right back Azpilicueta starting, Ryan Bertand once again started in place of the injured Ashley Cole. Liverpool were once again without Spanish stopper Pepe Reina and Brad Jones continued to play back up. Glen Johnson was back from injury to play against his former team. Liverpool played with 5 defenders with Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson playing as wingbacks. Jamie Carragher filled in for the recently injured Martin Skrtel. Daniel Agger and Andre Wisdom completed the back. Chelsea played Torres, Mata and Hazard upfront with Oscar Ramires and Mikel completing the midfield. Liverpool played Suarez upfront with Sterling behind him to support. Gerrad played the more attacking role and Sahin and Allen completed the team.

Chelsea got the first real chance of the match when Oscar got a one on one chance with the goal keeper after a mistake by Joe Allen and Carragher. Oscar shot wide of the post. Liverpool kept possession of the ball but failed to get in their shots and Petr Cech saved most of the crosses. Torres had a chance to score against his old team but an alert Brad Jones saved his shot on target.

Then in the 19th minute a Nuri Sahin pass hit the referee Howard Webb and Chelsea won the ball. The resultant attack ended in a corner. Juan Mata took the corner and John Terry was left unmarked as Agger and Johnson got in each other’s way. Terry headed the ball in to give the hosts the lead. This was also his 50th goal for Chelsea.

In the 35th minute there were concerns on the pitch as Terry was down on the pitch in pain. Luiz Suarez went forward with the ball and a small touch from Ramires from the back made him slip and hit the incoming Terry. Terry suffered a knee injury and had to be stretched off the pitch. Gary Cahill replaced Terry. This time there was no blame attached to the Uruguayan.

As the first half drew close Chelsea were gifted with a golden opportunity after Juan Mata dribbled past Andre Wisdom to go one on one with the goal keeper. Mata had Hazard to his left for support but went for glory and shot well wide of the post.

The first half ended with the score 1-0 to Chelsea.

In the second Liverpool looked more confident on the ball with 17 year old Raheem Sterling causing all sorts of problems for defenders with his dribbling.

In the 56th minute Chelsea got a corner and confusion followed as the ball was not well cleared Steven Gerrard was left down in the box and play was stopped. Concerns grew as he was still down for both Brendan Rodgers and the England Manager Roy Hogdson who was watching the match. Gerrard returned after a small treatment to play. Liverpool made their first substitution soon with Suso replacing Sahin.

In the 73rd minute Liverpool won a corner. Suso took the corner and Jamie Carragher made a very good header to head the ball with the back of his head to Luis Suarez who was left unmarked. Suarez scored to level the match.

Chelsea soon replaced Oscar with Moses and then in the 82nd minute Torres was replaced by Sturridge. Liverpool fans were happy to see him off and booed him off the pitch.

Liverpool then got a golden opportunity to go ahead as once again Jose Enrique and Luis Suarez combined like they did in the match against Newcastle. Enrique who was the best player on the pitch on the night gave a great through ball to Suarez. Suarez had an easier chance this time as there was no defender right behind him. Cech came off his line to cover Suarez who was trying to round the goal keeper. Cech put a hand in to stop his first touch and the ball rebounded off Suarez and went out of play. Liverpool once again came close to scoring and this time it was Jose Enrique with the shot. Some clever dribbling from Sterling opened up the chance and he passed the ball to Suarez. Suarez then gave a through ball to Enrique whose shot on goal was brilliantly saved by Cech.

Jose Enrique was also adjudged man of the match as he was brilliant on the left stopping the crosses, winning the ball and going forward. The draw now slips Chelsea to 3rd position and Liverpool lag in 13th place with yet another draw.

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