SHORT REPORT: SPOILS SHARED FACEBOOK
An overview of this evening’s draw with all the key themes and moments analysed...
The Blues were minutes away from becoming the first team to beat Liverpool in the Premier League this season but Daniel Sturridge’s outstanding 89th-minute equaliser denied us an impressive victory.
Eden Hazard had fired us in front midway through the first half and the Belgian had our best opportunity to double the lead after the break but Alisson saved well. Liverpool had chances of their own, too, with Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz producing goal-line clearances and Xherdan Shakiri missing from close range. It needed Sturridge from way further out to break us down after an impressive collective effort from Maurizio Sarri’s men.
That man again…
Hazard has been the talk of the footballing world this week and the Belgian delivered yet again today. Following hard on the heels of his selection in the FIFA FIFPro World XI and that stunning midweek winner was a fine opening goal at the Bridge. It was Hazard who helped initiate the midfield space which Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic so slickly operated in by backflicking to the Croatian and then racing into space from where he could finish with deadly accuracy. It was not just the goal and the skills on show today, Hazard’s work rate and stamina were also exemplary. Our no.10 truly is at the top of his game right now.
Fast and furious
This was Premier League football at its very best, two top teams with a commitment to attack going toe to toe. It was not until the 20-minute mark that the pace of game slowed for the first time, and even then the respite was temporary as we quickly created two chances, the second of which Hazard converted. There was no let-up after the break, either, and when the final whistle sounded hearty applause from all corners of the ground greeted the players and rightly so. It had been a top-level encounter.
Star Man
There were fantastic performances all over the pitch from those in blue this evening and our selection this week could have gone to any of them, but Mateo Kovacic gets the nod for an all-round midfield performance. The Croatian produced his best showing yet, equally dominant defensively and offensively, and the creator of the only goal.
Team News
Sarri was able to select the same starting XI as last week with Antonio Rudiger back fit. Other injury doubts Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were not in the squad. For Liverpool, Virgin van Dijk was fit enough to feature.
Key Moments
10: Salah picked up Trent Alexander-Arnold’s infield pass, dropped a shoulder to deceive Rudiger and proceeded to curl a presentable very high and very wide.
22: Our first chance of the game was a good one as David Luiz’s sublime long pass found Willian bursting behind the visitors’ backline. With players converging on him, including his team-mate Giroud, Willian’s effort was blocked at close range by Alisson.
25: GOAAAAAAAL! 1-0! Hazard flicked to Kovacic who swapped passes with Jorginho and then released Hazard with an incisive through-ball. He accelerated and fired accurately on his left across Alisson and into the far corner.
32: Rudiger cleared Salah’s goalbound shot off the line in the nick of time after the Egyptian had skirted past Alonso and then rounded Kepa Arrizabalaga.
39: As we attempted to break from a Liverpool corner, Sadio Mane scythed down Hazard and was booked.
47: Willian collected another long ball over the top and having been forced wide, fired in a low cross which Giroud turned past the post.
58: Mane wriggled into space deep inside our box and drew a great stop from Kepa who dived low to his right to tip the effort wide.
63: A golden chance to double our lead passed by as Kante’s clever quick free-kick released Hazard who was denied by the stretching legs of Alisson.
65: Alvaro Morata replaced Giroud, followed quickly by Xherdan Shaqiri coming on for Salah.
69: Alisson palmed Kovacic’s bouncing effort away shortly after Morata had a shot blocked after fine work by Hazard.
70: Andrew Robertson capitalised on an Azpilicueta slip and whipped an inviting low cross in which Shaqiri put wide from six yards out.
72: David Luiz clears Roberto Firmino’s downward header off the line after James Milner had space to clip a cross in. Immediately after Victor Moses replaced Willian.
80: The final sub was Ross Barkley on for the impressive Kovacic.
89: Goal, 1-1: Sturridge, brought on minutes earlier, whipped a stunning effort into the top right-hand corner from a good 25 yards out. Unstoppable.
What next?
We're back at the Bridge on Thursday for our first home European fixture this season, MOL Vidi providing the opposition.
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