Costa buries Liverpool as Chelsea march on

Rodgers restores stars to line-up but Mourinho has last laugh

DIEGO Costa struck his 10th Premier League goal of the season as Chelsea overturned Liverpool’s early lead to reinforce their undeniable status as title favourites.

The 2-1 defeat, in a raw, uncompromising encounter also heaped pressure on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers after he fielded a weakened team in the Champions League in midweek.

Once again Jose Mourinho triumphed at Anfield, having derailed Liverpool’s title charge last season, but this was a far more positive performance from Chelsea who, themselves, appear unstoppable.

Nevertheless Liverpool should have salvaged a draw – but referee Anthony Taylor ignored their penalty claims after Gary Cahill clearly handled Steven Gerrard’s shot.

Liverpool went ahead in the ninth minute with Emre Can’s first goal for the club. He capitalised on Chelsea backing off and profited from a deflection to beat Thibaut Courtois.

If Liverpool had hoped that would re-inject belief, it only served to spur on Chelsea, who were quickly level. It came from a corner with Oscar heading towards goal and then the ball headed on by John Terry.

Simon Mignolet saved superbly, pushing it out — only for the ball to deflect off Nemanja Matic to Cahill, who stabbed a shot back at Mignolet. Again the goalkeeper parried, but the ball rolled over his body and crossed the line before he could force it out again.

There was a delay — made all the more dramatic as the effort was at the Kop End, where the so-called “ghost” goal had been given in that epic Champions League semifinal a decade ago — before the equaliser was fi- SPECTACULAR: Chelsea’s Diego Costa, centre, attempts an overhead kick during yesterday’s English Premier League match at Anfield against Liverpool. Costa scored the winning goal in his side’s 2-1 win nally confirmed by the goal-line technology.

Liverpool struggled. Three times Eden Hazard had the opportunity to beat Mignolet — twice his shots were blocked by Glen Johnson before the goalkeeper also saved — while Oscar carved the home side apart.

It owed more to Liverpool’s defensive nerves, their inability to clear the lines and any composure or belief, as to any great build-up by Chelsea, who nevertheless looked impressive as they broke forward.

As the contest became increasingly disjointed and tetchy, Chelsea capitalised with Cesar Azpilicueta scampering down the left to cross low. Mignolet pushed the ball away but it fell to Costa, who fired it into the net. Liverpool protested, claiming the ball had gone out of play before Azpilicueta retrieved it, and the sense of grievance grew. There was anger also from the home supporters, with Rodgers withdrawing Coutinho and Can. Liverpool needed a response but Henderson’s volley deflected off Matic and Azpilicueta for a corner but although there was a renewed impetus they could not find the goal — although they should have had that penalty. — ©