Match Summary:

Chelsea have earned another Incredible away win at Anfield with the most radical Starting Squad where most noticeably Ba scored from a Gerrard mistake. In the line-up debutant Kalas was partnered by Ivanovic who has been employed in the role for the first time ever by  Mourinho. However all plaudits went to Ba and late substitute Willian each of whom scored. Mourinho made seven changes to the lineup that played Atletico but retained Cole at left back. Cahill and Torres followed Willian in a contest where victory seemed impossible.

First Half

Both teams started with sharp momentum with Sterling managing to snatch the ball from Chelsea D-Box in the opening minute and running up the entire length to the other end. In the 4th minute Schurrle was fouled much to the concern of Mourinho while he intercepted a cross and ran clear off after a composed build up play by the Reds. From the second throw of the match Mikel after receiving the ball passed to Cole who unleashed a shot on goal that Mignolet blocked. Kalas tackled Sterling that earned Liverpool their first corner where Johnson hit it against the wall to see another. In the 10th minute Coutinho hit the side net from a Gerrard cross. In the 11th minute Cole defended a clear but weak shot as the ball could not be cleared Sakho misfired it over the bar. Then again Gerrard’s trademark volley from the middle of the D-Box was caught by Schwarzer. Chelsea countered from the right where Liverpool markers frustrated them each time by breaking up their moves for throws. From the throws Liverpool managed to block Blues from taking the ball forward. Mignolet until now has been largely a spectator as the home side resumed their monopoly. Their players had fantastic chemistry in attacking Chelsea, defending and preventing from running past middle of the pitch and constantly stopping them with the ball despite being outnumbered. With half an hour gone the realistic offense was seen from the Blues with Salah and Ba forcing corner by clever dribbled albeit the Liverpool D-Box being soundly guarded all the time. Lampard delivered the corner kick but Liverpool successfully broke up the moves. Mignolet was called into action merely a second time from a promising Blues attack as Ashley Cole’s lethal cross that targeted Salah almost caused panic. In the 46th minute a clumsy fall by Gerrard gave  Ba a chance who steered,clear on goal and converted silencing the home crowds.

 

Second Half

In the opening minute Suarez threatened to score and the waves of attacks continued. Now Blues dropped to shield Schwarzer in more numbers and closer proximities. Sterling cut in evading Ivanovic, Coutinho attacking from left and center and their team mates laying on the ball for captsin Gerrard to shoot each 3 minutes was the regular features. Blues were walking the tight rope despite throwing up numbers at the back. Yet they looked solid as they past the 70th minute mark. Suarez powered shots on goal to force saves from the busiest Schwarzer. Sterlings threats forced Mou into introducing Willian who launched several counter attacks that Ba should have exploited. Now Chelsea’s risks of surrendering the lead were relaxed in match where more than three fourth players of the team mobbed their D-Box. Courners flooded in one after another which Chelsea dealt with relentlessly. The Anfield noises were made by the away crowds. In the meantime Schurrle who forced a save from Mignolet made way for Cahill. The German made good defending contributions to fall back and mark Coutinho. The England center Back stood between Ivanovic and Kalas amid the nonstop Liverpool’s efforts. Mourinho also replaced Ba with Torres to provide rest to the former. In the added minutes the desperate home side paid the price for baring their defense absolutely as in the 92nd minute Torres released with. the ball and Mignolet stranded and exposed. The spaniard kept his composure to feed the ball to Willian whoevadedthe goalkeeper. The Brazilian paused for a second before cooly slotting the ballinto the net to wreak rapturous applauses. Mou was witnessing the moment with pride of delivering Chelsea the win with 25% possession.

Match Statistic 

Chelsea Formation: 4-3-3

Line Up: Schwarzer: Azpilicueta- Ivanovic,-Kalas,-Cole: Lampard-Mikel-Matic: Salah-Ba-Schurrle

Substitutes: 60 mins↓Willian ↑Salah, 77 mins ↓Cahill ↑Schurrle, 84 mins↓Torres ↑Ba

Possession: 27%

Yellow Card: Salah 21 mins, Lampard, 43 mins, Cole 90 mins, Torres 91 mins

Liverpool Formation: 4-3-3

Line Up: Mignolet: Flanagsn-Skrtel-Sakho-Johnson: Gerrard-Allen-Lucas: Coutinho-Sterling-Suarez.

Substitutes: 58 mins ↓Sturridge ↑Lucas, 81 mins ↓Aspas↑Sterling.

Ball Possession: Liv 73%-Che　27%

Shots on Goal: Liv 26-Che 11

Shots on Target: Liv 8-Che 4

 Corners: Liv 14-3 Che

Offsides: Liv 1-0 Che

Saves: Liv 2-8 Che

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