Chelsea Draw At Anfield to Extend Premier League Lead

Chelsea strengthened their grip on the Premier League title with a 1-1 draw at Liverpool although Diego Costa missed a late penalty.

On a night where Arsenal and Tottenham dropped points, Chelsea, who remain nine points clear, took a first-half lead courtesy of a wonderfully executed 30-yard free-kick from David Luiz that caught Simon Mignolet unawares.

Georginio Wijnaldum headed an equaliser for Jurgen Klopp's team but they had to be thankful to Mignolet with 15 minutes remaining as he saved Costa's spot-kick after the Chelsea striker had been fouled by Joel Matip.

The result snapped a run of three straight defeats for Liverpool but they still remain winless in the Premier League in 2017.

Chelsea take on third-place Arsenal on Saturday.

Chelsea looked a threat when Eden Hazard and Costa got the ball in Liverpool's final third, and it was the former being tripped by Adam Lallana in the 24th minute, which paved the way for Luiz to open the scoring.

Willian lined the set-piece up but Luiz took the initiative while Mignolet was still getting himself set and fired an arrow-like effort into the net via the post. Liverpool complained to referee Mark Clattenburg but he had clearly whistled four seconds before Luiz struck the ball. It was the Brazilian's first goal since returning from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Moments later, a free-kick from a similar position by Willian had to be palmed away by Mignolet as the ball skidded off the sodden Anfield turf.

Liverpool managed to open up Chelsea for the first time after 49 minutes but Roberto Fimino miscued an effort from 12 yards into the stands when well found by Nathaniel Clyne.

But the Anfield faithful were celebrating an equaliser eight minutes later. Jordan Henderson chipped a magnificent ball to the back post, where James Milner was waiting. The full-back kept his cool and headed back across goal and Wijnaldum climbed highest to bundle head home.

The equaliser changed the atmosphere inside the stadium but Chelsea rode the storm and hit Liverpool on the break with 15 minutes left.

Cotsa, who had run Matip ragged all night, turned the defender inside the area and after a collision of knees, the Blues top scorer hit the deck. Clattenburg pointed straight to the spot.

Chelsea beats Liverpool at Anfield to maintain lead

Jose Mourinho Chelsea team maintained their seasons 100% record at Anfield by beating Liverpool.

Goals from Gary Cahill and Diego Costa cancelled Liverpool's early lead from Emre Can in the 9th minute and completes Mourinho's masterstroke at Anfield in 2014.

 Cahill scored in the 14th minute to make it 1 - 1 only for Costa to net the winner in the 67th minute.

This time there was no need for José Mourinho to worry unduly about Chelsea’s opponents. Liverpool, to put it bluntly, do not inspire that kind of trepidation any more and Chelsea could dismantle them without any complaints about their methods.
Chelsea did have to withstand some late pressure and Liverpool have legitimate grievances about that moment, after 87 minutes, when Gary Cahill blocked a Gerrard shot with his hand.

The referee, Anthony Taylor, was guilty of missing a clear penalty but Rodgers was stretching the truth when he tried to argue a draw would have been an accurate assessment of how the contest went. The truth is that Chelsea were the more rounded side for at least three-quarters of the game.

 Ramires was introduced just before the hour mark while Didier Drogba and Filipe lius were introduced on the 90th minute to hold on the time at Anfield.

 They played with control and know-how, with Nemanja Matic outstanding in midfield and Cesc Fàbregas only marginally subdued by Jordan Henderson’s man-marking. Fàbregas,


Post match interview with Mourinho revealed afterwards, that Fabregas had played despite a hamstring injury and may now miss a couple of matches. The same applies to Ramires, with a groin problem.

 “They were really in trouble but they put themselves there for the team,” Mourinho said. It typified the spirit of his side.

The match ended Liverpool 1 Chelsea 2