By Gary Watton
September 29 2018
Although Chelsea appeared to be relatively comfortable at soaking up and coping with Liverfools' incessant attacking, they can't really complain about dropping two vital points in the dying minutes. Firstly, Sturridge's wonder strike was so freakishly good that few, if any, goalkeepers would have even got fingertips to it, and it was an equaliser worthy of one point. Secondly, Chelsea reverted depressingly from Sarri mode to Conte bus-parking mode. It's all very well the untouchable Hazard firing home another excellent goal, this time with his left foot, but when the team gradually retreats to their final third of the pitch, they revisit the tiresome old territory of a boxer clinging on to the ropes, desperately trying to avoid a knockout punch. It didn't make for pleasant viewing, watching Chelsea consign themselves to wave after wave of Liverpoo attacks. In that kind of climate, it's almost inevitable that a goal will be conceded against quality opposition - and so it came to pass. At least the hosts ended the Kopites' flawless start in the league, but it could easily have been a crucial three points, if the home team had been more competitive in midfield and not simply surrendered cheap possession time and again.
CHELSEA 1 Liverpool 1; half time: 1-0
Goal scorer: Hazard
CHELSEA: Arrizabalaga; Luiz; Rudiger; Azpilicueta; Kante; Alonso; Hazard; Jorginho; Willian; Giroud; Kovacic. Used substitutes: Morata; Moses; Barkley
LEADING SCORERS:
Hazard seven
Pedro three
Willian two
Alonso one
Emerson one
Jorginho one
Kante one
Morata one
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