London: Chelsea and Liverpool played out a breathless and exciting 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Monday(January 3) at the Stamford Bridge in English Premier League. Although the match result did not help either club, as Manchester City went 10 points clear in the title race.
With a breathless start for the visitors, they went 2-0 up. Sadio Mane scored the opener as he punished Chelsea defender, Trevoh Chalobah’s error and put the Reds ahead on nine minutes. Within half an hour the Blues found themselves conceding the second of the match.
Mohamed Salah kept his scoring form intact when he beat Marcos Alonso and then put the ball past Edouard Mendy from a pretty tight angle. Liverpool were without their manager Jurgen Klopp due to Covid-19.
Chelsea found their way back when Mateo Kovacic slotted a spectacular, dipping volley from the edge of the box which rattled off the post and then beat Liverpool’s stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Alisson also missed the match due to Covid.
It was the USA international Christian Pulisic who leveled the scoreline for the Blues just a minute after the halftime mark. “It was an incredible first half,” Pulisic told media. “You feel after we got the momentum and get back 2-2 it’s a bit frustrating not to get the winner but probably a fair result in the end.”
The result greatly boosted the chance of City’s shot at the title, who are currently holding an 11 match winning run. Liverpool will be next facing Crystal Palace and Brentford without Salah and Mane, who will be heading to join the Africa Cup of Nations.
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