Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
Apologies for the lateness of this, chaps. Should have been up straight after full-time.
They may have come back from the dead against Manchester United in September and they might have turned the game around against Arsenal in Easter, but of all the teams to end their 86 game unbeaten home record, the Chelsea players will wonder why it had to be Liverpool. On an emotionally charged, wet afternoon in West London, Rafa Benitez's team succeeded where so many others had failed. They were victorious at Stamford Bridge.
In truth, for the vast majority of the game it seemed that it would always be Liverpool's day. For all the talk of Chelsea's vast improvement in style, it should not go unnoticed that Rafa Benitez's team have undergone their own tactical evolution. They passed the ball superbly. Albert Riera, in particular, was tremendous on the ball, linking up with Robbie Keane to great effect on the left flank and running at Jose Bosingwa with the confidence and strength of a seasoned Premier League veteran.
But it was the home-grown pairing of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher that will have impressed the most. Carragher was a rock at the centre of Liverpool's defence, combining his usual brand of composure under fire with some last ditch tackles that brought back memories of Istanbul in 2005. Gerrard too has a habit of delivering the big performances on the big occasions and this was no exception. Ferocious in the tackle and constantly on the move, he was in inspirational form. Xabi Alonso could have scored more than just his deflected snapshot, crashing a free-kick against the post with Petr Cech beaten.
Chelsea, for all of their dainty flicks and zipped passes, struggled to create chances until a frenzy of late near misses as Liverpool dug in at the back. Benitez had handed Dirk Kuyt and Riera a mission to terrorise Chelsea's full-backs, piling on he pressure and preventing them from marauding up the line. Without their support, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou floundered and Nicolas Anelka was no more than a peripheral figure. Luiz Felipe Scolari, having learned so much about his team when they are winning, now has to discover how well they respond to losing.
This was not an afternoon for the faint-hearted. Crunching tackles and scuffles on the pitch were more than matched by the bad blood in the stands. Some despicable Hillsbrough songs were given an airing by the home fans, crossing the line of banter into a world of unacceptability. Thankfully, referee Howard Webb controlled the game well, because at times it felt as if a burst of controversy on the pitch could lead to a riot off it.
But let's not dwell on the negatives. This was an excellent performance by Liverpool who fully deserved their victory. It's far too early to speak of a title challenge, but more than just a step, this was a giant leap in the right direction. Both Chelsea and Manchester United have now fallen, and both while Fernando Torres was unavailable. That, if nothing else, should force people to at least consider the possibilility that Liverpool are back.
TANTRUM - After talking himself into an early bath against Machester United last season, Javier Mascherano almost gave a repeat performance here. The fiery Argentine ran straight to Howard Webb demanding a red card for Ashley Cole in the second half. Webb cautioned Mascherano instead, but it didn't stop his protestations. He was lucky to stay on the pitch.
CLUELESS - The Chelsea supporters, a great many of them sadly, who sang, "You Killed Your Own Fans," at their opponents should be ashamed of themselves. On another bad weekend for the reputation of English football, their cruelty was unnecessary and unwanted.
SHOCKER - Howard Webb's decision to book Steven Gerrard for one of the finest tackles of the season was a shocking mistake. The Liverpool captain launched himself into the challenge, but won the ball fairly and squarely from Jose Bosingwa.
PUNTERS RANT - Who would have forseen this? Only the most optimistic of Liverpool fans. Chelsea have repeatedly held their lines against those who would take away their proud home record, hauling themseves back into games they were well and truly out of. They had to lose that record some time, which meant a lot of punters had to lose theirmoney....
MAN OF THE MATCH - Steven Gerrard delivered an almost complete performane here for his team, leading by example even after his yellow card should have quelled his desire to get stuck in. He was tireless, remorseless and incomparable. This was Gerrard at his best.
MATCH STATS
Chelsea
Petr Cech 6, Ashley Cole 6, Ricardo Carvalho 6, Frank Lampard 7, John Obi Mikel 6, Florent Malouda 5, Jose Bosingwa 6, Deco 6, Saloman Kalou 5, John Terry 7, Nicolas Anelka 6
Liverpool
Jose Reina 7, Daniel Agger 7, Robbie Keane 7, Steven Gerrard 8, Albert Riera 7, Fabio Aurelio 7, Xabi Alonso7, Alvara Arbeloa 7, Dirk Kuyt 7, Javier Mascherano 7, Jamie Carragher
Yellow Cards - Gerrard, Riera, Mascherano (Liverpool) ,Malouda, Cole, Deco (Chelsea)
Red Cards - None
Attendance - 41,705
They may have come back from the dead against Manchester United in September and they might have turned the game around against Arsenal in Easter, but of all the teams to end their 86 game unbeaten home record, the Chelsea players will wonder why it had to be Liverpool. On an emotionally charged, wet afternoon in West London, Rafa Benitez's team succeeded where so many others had failed. They were victorious at Stamford Bridge.
In truth, for the vast majority of the game it seemed that it would always be Liverpool's day. For all the talk of Chelsea's vast improvement in style, it should not go unnoticed that Rafa Benitez's team have undergone their own tactical evolution. They passed the ball superbly. Albert Riera, in particular, was tremendous on the ball, linking up with Robbie Keane to great effect on the left flank and running at Jose Bosingwa with the confidence and strength of a seasoned Premier League veteran.
But it was the home-grown pairing of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher that will have impressed the most. Carragher was a rock at the centre of Liverpool's defence, combining his usual brand of composure under fire with some last ditch tackles that brought back memories of Istanbul in 2005. Gerrard too has a habit of delivering the big performances on the big occasions and this was no exception. Ferocious in the tackle and constantly on the move, he was in inspirational form. Xabi Alonso could have scored more than just his deflected snapshot, crashing a free-kick against the post with Petr Cech beaten.
Chelsea, for all of their dainty flicks and zipped passes, struggled to create chances until a frenzy of late near misses as Liverpool dug in at the back. Benitez had handed Dirk Kuyt and Riera a mission to terrorise Chelsea's full-backs, piling on he pressure and preventing them from marauding up the line. Without their support, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou floundered and Nicolas Anelka was no more than a peripheral figure. Luiz Felipe Scolari, having learned so much about his team when they are winning, now has to discover how well they respond to losing.
This was not an afternoon for the faint-hearted. Crunching tackles and scuffles on the pitch were more than matched by the bad blood in the stands. Some despicable Hillsbrough songs were given an airing by the home fans, crossing the line of banter into a world of unacceptability. Thankfully, referee Howard Webb controlled the game well, because at times it felt as if a burst of controversy on the pitch could lead to a riot off it.
But let's not dwell on the negatives. This was an excellent performance by Liverpool who fully deserved their victory. It's far too early to speak of a title challenge, but more than just a step, this was a giant leap in the right direction. Both Chelsea and Manchester United have now fallen, and both while Fernando Torres was unavailable. That, if nothing else, should force people to at least consider the possibilility that Liverpool are back.
TANTRUM - After talking himself into an early bath against Machester United last season, Javier Mascherano almost gave a repeat performance here. The fiery Argentine ran straight to Howard Webb demanding a red card for Ashley Cole in the second half. Webb cautioned Mascherano instead, but it didn't stop his protestations. He was lucky to stay on the pitch.
CLUELESS - The Chelsea supporters, a great many of them sadly, who sang, "You Killed Your Own Fans," at their opponents should be ashamed of themselves. On another bad weekend for the reputation of English football, their cruelty was unnecessary and unwanted.
SHOCKER - Howard Webb's decision to book Steven Gerrard for one of the finest tackles of the season was a shocking mistake. The Liverpool captain launched himself into the challenge, but won the ball fairly and squarely from Jose Bosingwa.
PUNTERS RANT - Who would have forseen this? Only the most optimistic of Liverpool fans. Chelsea have repeatedly held their lines against those who would take away their proud home record, hauling themseves back into games they were well and truly out of. They had to lose that record some time, which meant a lot of punters had to lose theirmoney....
MAN OF THE MATCH - Steven Gerrard delivered an almost complete performane here for his team, leading by example even after his yellow card should have quelled his desire to get stuck in. He was tireless, remorseless and incomparable. This was Gerrard at his best.
MATCH STATS
Chelsea
Petr Cech 6, Ashley Cole 6, Ricardo Carvalho 6, Frank Lampard 7, John Obi Mikel 6, Florent Malouda 5, Jose Bosingwa 6, Deco 6, Saloman Kalou 5, John Terry 7, Nicolas Anelka 6
Liverpool
Jose Reina 7, Daniel Agger 7, Robbie Keane 7, Steven Gerrard 8, Albert Riera 7, Fabio Aurelio 7, Xabi Alonso7, Alvara Arbeloa 7, Dirk Kuyt 7, Javier Mascherano 7, Jamie Carragher
Yellow Cards - Gerrard, Riera, Mascherano (Liverpool) ,Malouda, Cole, Deco (Chelsea)
Red Cards - None
Attendance - 41,705
