Liverpool started better on both sides, but after Chelsea overcame the initial storm, we quickly got into the game and it was a fairly balanced game for most of the first half.
Both teams were pushing hard and recovering quickly, with most of the chances coming from an occasional turn or a big ball over the top. Chelsea was the first to make one of these worthwhile, with Werner passing the ball through Alisson and then into the empty net, but VAR considered it a minuscule impediment, in yet another instance of technology that is not good enough implemented even close. well enough.
Chelsea recovered from that disappointment and would eventually take the lead thanks to Mason Mount who became Eden Hazard, cutting in from the left and finding the bottom corner just minutes before the break.
Liverpool also started the second best half on both sides, but Chelsea quickly rose to the necessary levels again and, in fact, created several excellent opportunities, including a shot by Ziyech from a Chilwell rebound that Robertson had to eliminate. At the other end, Kante survived what would have been a tough call for handball in the area (but who knows what handball is nowadays).
The host began to press seriously for the draw close to the hour, leaving even more space for the counterattacks, but Chelsea failed to take advantage, with Werner getting an excellent save from Alisson.
Fortunately, at the other end, Chelsea were equally excellent and, save for perhaps a moment of panic (with Chilwell struggling away from the six-yard box), kept Liverpool out.
Carefree!
- Three changes over the weekend, with Jorginho, James and Werner replacing Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi and Giroud
- Pulisic replaced Ziyech shortly after the hour mark to add more speed at the top, Kovacic replaced Mount for the 10 finalists to add more midfield presence in a 3-5-2. Havertz to Werner in extra time to lose some time.
- Chelsea return to fourth place, with West Ham stopped until the weekend.
- Next: another massive game for the considerations of the top four / six, at home against Everton on Monday
- KTBFFH
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