It's been another encounter with the opponent we have faced 33 times in the last 8 seasons. The tie is no longer new, but the players, are mostly new. The blues are with new boys Hazard, Oscar, Azpilicueta, Moses, Bertrand whom Liverpool never faced before. While boss RDM were required to think about the likes of Sterling, Allen, Sahin, etc. So it's a seemingly classic show, but with new actors to play. However, the results are a tight one, as always. However, judging by the game overall, and the statistics as well, it may well seem to be 2 points dropped for us.
With Cole out, it's not a surprise that Bertrand took over at left back, while Azpilicueta was a surprise start, with Ivanovic moving to centre half pairing Captain JT, while Cahill starts on the bench. Cech and the remaining six pretty much picked themselves. Liverpool seemed a weaker side, especially in defense, with no Reina and Skrtel.
The first half began pretty slow, in fact Liverpool had more possession in about the first 15 minutes, and we didn't seem to be able to pick ourselves up. Torres seemed up for it though, and he earned us a first corner of the game, in which JT rose up to receive a Juan Mata corner and hit the net, giving us the lead. Soon after, we started to come to live, and the likes of Oscar and Hazard are starting to show some tricks of their own. However we are unable to extend our lead, and an incident occured, and our captain had to be stretchered off, to be replaced by Cahill. The first half ended 1-0.
For most of the second half, we dominated the game, and Liverpool were only playing with counter attacks. We had more possession, more chances, however that second goal just didn't come. Torres had a chance of his own, and it took goalkeeper Brad Jones a spectacular save. When you can't find a second goal like this, things just didn't seem to go our way, and it didn't. On the 72nd minute Suarez (who else?) scored an equalising goal, also from a corner. From that point on, we tried to recover and find a winning goal, but it never came. Throughout the second half, we just weren't sharp enough in front of goal, and perhaps unlucky as well. The game ended 1-1.
Overall the team performed well, but just couldn't find that second goal. Azpilicueta was excellent defensively,however can still improve in helping the team offensively. The triumvirate (I don't need to mention who) weren't as lively as they used to be, perhaps due to fatigue (concerning the number and minutes and intensity of football they played recently), and it took them time to come to life themselves. So more and more it becomes apparent our dependence on those three. Torres was performing okay, perhaps unlucky not to find the net. Cech was excellent as always, without him we might have lost.
But one to note is the presence of our captain JT. He seemed so significant to the team. Not only he scored the goal, but with his presence in the team, we looked more solid defensively. I don't know if it's just me, but I felt we needed his presence badly. He is a great leader, and he is able to organize the team well, especially in defending. Let's just hope that his injury is not that bad, and that we shall see him back on the field soon.
As of now, we have only earned 2 points in the last three games, which is not good, and now we have dropped to third. I can sometimes think of superstitious situations, but I certainly hope the curse of November is not coming back to haunt us. Especially as this month is the month of my birthday. With this, we really have to bounce back in the next game against West Brom, although honestly it will be difficult. They are the in form team at the moment, and we will have to be at our best to beat them, and get back to winning ways! #CFC
Link:
http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2977534/title/match-report-chelsea-1-liverpool-1
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/80923/chelsea-fc-vs-liverpool/player-ratings
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/80923/chelsea-fc-vs-liverpool/report
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