January 02, (THEWILL) – Chelsea battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with championship rivals Liverpool on Sunday in a fiercely contested first half of English Premier League football.
The result will thrill EPL leaders Manchester City, who finish the weekend ten points ahead of the Blues in second, while Jurgen Klopp’s side sit 11 points behind in third with a game in hand.
Sadio Mane was booked almost immediately for a hand to the face of Cesar Azpilicueta, setting the tone for a tense game.
Within the opening ten minutes, both teams had chances to score as a result of defensive mistakes. First, Trent Alexander-Arnold fumbled a clearance, but Christian Pulisic was unable to capitalise due to stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher snuffing out the threat.
After Trevoh Chalobah botched his own clearance, Sadio Mane showed no mercy, grabbing onto the ball before going around Edouard Mendy and hammering home.
Mohamed Salah extended his team’s lead just before the half-hour mark. The forward timed his run flawlessly, and after being picked out by Alexander-Arnold, he comfortably beat Mendy at his front post.
However, Chelsea fought until the break and were rewarded when Mateo Kovacic unleashed an incredible volley to cut Liverpool’s advantage to one.
Another dramatic twist occurred on the stroke of halftime, when Christian Pulisic lifted a finish into the roof of the net, sending Stamford Bridge into raptures.
In the second half, Mendy produced great saves to deny Salah and Mane further goals before the hour mark, while Kelleher was also put into action, swiping away Pulisic’s scruffy effort.
After a non-stop first 60 minutes, both teams ran out of gas near the conclusion. Chelsea were on top, but they could not convert their possession into goals. The closest they came was when Antonio Rudiger leapt high in the box, but his header was deflected past the post.
Chelsea will face Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup semi-finals at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Liverpool is also in EFL Cup action on Thursday, when they face Arsenal in the last four at the Emirates Stadium.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
