BLUES KAI THINKING!
Chelsea salvage positive with 10 men
CHELSEA left Merseyside last night convinced that they had been the victims of yet another Anfield ‘ghost goal’.
They still argue that Liverpool’s passage to the Champions League Final in 2005 was aided by a Luis Garcia effort which didn’t cross the line.
Fast-forward to this latest battle of the old adversaries and Chelsea were seething over Liverpool’s equaliser. It came from a VAR check with England star Reece James adjudged to have handled a shot from Sadio Mane.
He was promptly sent off leaving Thomas Tuchel’s side to face a second-half siege in front of a baying Kop.
Liverpool scented blood and the chance to make a huge statement in the Premier League title race.
Both these clubs are determined to promote themselves from the title undercard and become the main protagonists looking to dethrone Manchester City.
Chelsea had taken the lead in this frenzied affair through a cultured header from Kai Havertz and Mason Mount squandered a golden chance to extend their lead.
Havertz was sacrificed in the second half as Tuchel knew he would have to man the barricades to keep out
Jurgen Klopp’s side, who were looking to satisfy a fervent home crowd.
Edouard Mendy made a succession of saves to ensure that Chelsea at least escaped with a point.
It had been a turbo-charged start from Klopp’s side and the Kop could hardly believe what they witnessing as under-the-cosh Chelsea stole into a 21st-minute lead.
James whipped in a corner which Liverpool had disputed and from the edge of the crowded six-yard box Havertz connected with a stunning back header which looped over Alisson.
First blood to Tuchel’s welloiled machine which had been creaking as Liverpool exploded out of the blocks.
Jordan Henderson should have given the Reds the lead after a brilliantly executed floated pass from Trent Alexander-arnold evaded
Chelsea’s back peddling defence for the home skipper to find himself with the goal at his mercy. But his control was completely askew and the volley went horribly wide.
Harvey Elliott displaying more of the prestigious talent which has earned him a starting place in this starstudded Liverpool squad wasn’t far away with a snap shot from two yards after a neat pass from Mo Salah.
After their goal, Chelsea grew in stature, coming to terms with the frenzy of an Anfield full house and went close to making it 2-0.
Romelu Lukaku struggling to break free from the strong hold of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, finally found some space and slipped in Mason Mount who after breezing past Alexander-arnold fired low across the face of goal.
Then in first half added time Chelsea’s discipline was in tatters as Liverpool equalised from the spot.
An Andy Robertson corner created chaos with Matip heading against the bar and in the melee which followed, Chelsea claiming that Jorginho was sent flying illegally, Mane’s close-range stab appeared to be cleared off the line by James’s arm.
Enter VAR, and referee Anthony Taylor was advised to take a look at the pitchside monitor.
Chelsea feared the worst and that was endorsed as England defender James was red-carded, Antonio Rudiger was booked for scuffing up the penalty spot, and Salah did the rest – sending Mendy the wrong way with his well struck spot-kick.
Ten-man Chelsea were now up against it with Liverpool ready to attack the Kop in the second half with renewed gusto, and the signs for the visitors weren’t good.
Substitute Diogo Jota headed narrowly over, a longrange Van Dijk effort was pawed away by Mendy while Henderson and Fabinho also peppered the Chelsea goal.
It was non-stop pressure and Salah wasted a chance to make it 100 Premier League goals with a weak shot , against his former club.
But Chelsea – in a rare break – went very close themselves with Mateo Kovacic being denied through a rare save from Alisson.