Former Chelsea player Glen Johnson scores the late winner for Liverpool as they emerge triumphant yet again at the Bridge.
Maxi Rodriguez scores the opener against Chelsea
An attack minded Liverpool dominated the first half and the final ten minutes of the game to bring back all three points and continue their much improved away performances under Kenny Dalglish.
The reds move on to the same points as 4th placed Chelsea, although lie in 6th due to goal difference.
Maxi Rodriguez, Craig Bellamy, Luis Suarez and Dirk Kuyt were the four men patrolling the reds attack in a fluid and exciting first half.
After a poor pass out from Petr Cech, Charlie Adam closed down and a smart passing move involving Suarez, Bellamy and Maxi – saw Rodriguez put the ball in Chelsea’s net in the first half.
Under pressure Chelsea boss Villas-Boas made a change in the second half – bringing on the talented Sturridge for Obi Mikel, and some lax defending outside the area, allowed Malouda to cross in for the young striker to nick an equaliser in.
Chelsea had some good possession in the second half, and with 10 minutes left elected to bring on former Liverpool duo, Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles. However this move only seemed to improve Liverpool’s play, and a fine move from Jordan Henderson should have enabled Dirk Kuyt to score a winner – but his shot went wide.
With the clock ticking down, Glen Johnson powered in to the box, before coolly dispatching the ball in to the bottom corner.
Kenny, the players, and the fantastic travelling support celebrated, and the reds saw out the rest of the game to pick up a very valuable three points yet again at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool have to negotiate a home game against undefeated Manchester City before what promises to be very important December – featuring 6 games and with 18 points available. This win over Chelsea keeps the reds in contention for what could be a hugely important month ahead.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Rodriguez (Downing 77), Leiva, Adam, Suarez (Carroll 89), Kuyt, Bellamy (Henderson 66)
Unused subs: Doni, Carragher, Kelly, Spearing
Goals: Rodriguez 33, Johnson 87
Yellow cards: Leiva, Kuyt
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cole, Luiz, Terry, Ramires (Meireles 84), Lampard, Mikel (Sturridge 46), Malouda, Mata, Drogba (Torres 84)
Unused subs: Turnbull, Bosingwa, Romeu, Anelka
Goals: Sturridge 55
Yellow Cards: Ivanovic, Luiz, Ramires
Anfield Online Man of the Match: A couple of good saves from Reina, another magnificent defensive display from both Skrtel and Johnson, indifferent defending but a great winner from Johnson – but the man who was excellent all game was Lucas Leiva.
It was a good performance especially after Chelsea had equalised and had us against the wall so to speak! Let’s not forget Pepe’s world class save without which we wouldn’t have won where as Johnson’s finish was that of a top class forward!
It was nice to see Torres and Mereiles come on later without having much effect!
Amazing goal by Glen Johnson. Only Suarez and Bellamy could have matched the run and finish. I wish that Kenny would play Johnson on the right wing and Kelly at right back. They could interchange freely during play – one attacks, the other covers defence.
We should be feeling positive. Worth noting that if we had got our results the other way around ie. had beat Swansea and then got a point against Chelsea we would still be a point behind them.
Fantastic result. Great first half performance and final 15 – we went there to win and Spurs aside our away performances have been excellent.
Unbeaten in 9 competitive games. Man City have got off to an unbelievable start and look set to smash the points record – but if we do the business in December I see no reason why we can’t push United hard.
Great at last some positivity from somebody. In some ways this puts to bed the two draws against Norwich and Swansea. If someone had offered 6 points against Norwich and Swansea at home and only 2 points for Arsenal and Chelsea away then we’d have taken it. Well the opposite’s happened so we should be feeling positive.