Sunday, April 21, 2013

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 2


LUIS SUAREZ showed Anfield the good, the bad and the ugly as Liverpool grabbed a share of the spoils against Champions League chasers Chelsea.

Controversial striker Suarez grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser to deny the Blues a vital win — after giving away a penalty and BITING Branislav Ivanovic on the arm.
CHEWY SUAREZ ... Luis Suarez sinks his teeth into Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic
CHEWY SUAREZ ... Luis Suarez sinks his teeth into Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic
On an emotional day for former Reds boss Rafa Benitez, Chelsea took the lead through a fine header from Oscar.
And it appeared the Spaniard would have the cool head of Eden Hazard to thank for three priceless points after the Belgian put the visitors back in front from the penalty spot following Daniel Sturridge's equaliser.
But after escaping without puinishment for the shameful tussle with Ivanovic, Suarez was on hand to get on the end of a cross from Sturridge in the SEVENTH minute of added time.
Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez greets the Anfield faithful
RETURNING HERO ... interim Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez greets the Anfield faithful
Liverpool carved open the Chelsea defence inside the opening five minutes but former Blues defender Glen Johnson was off target with his strike after being played in on goal by Luis Suarez.
The visitors began to impose their passing game as the half wore on, without seriously testing Pepe Reina.
Oscar nods Chelsea in front at Anfield
HEADS I WIN ... Oscar nods Chelsea in front at Anfield
After being teed up by Hazard, Ramires finally forced Reina into action to punch away his stinging drive.
Clear-cut chances remained at a premium until Oscar broke the deadlock by getting his head to Juan Mata's 26th-minute corner.
Oscar celebrates after giving Chelsea the lead
BOY FROM BRAZIL ... Oscar celebrates after giving Chelsea the lead
And the Blues came close to a second just minutes later when Reina nearly allowed David Luiz's long-range free-kick to slip through his grasp after Jordan Henderson was booked for a foul on Hazard.
Fernando Torres went in the book for an innocuous aerial challenge on former team-mate Jamie Carragher before Petr Cech was called upon to turn away a powerful drive from Suarez.
Eden Hazard scores from the spot
SPOT ON ... Eden Hazard converts a penalty
Sturridge was sent on in place of Philippe Coutinho at the break and the England striker made an immediate impact, setting up skipper Steven Gerrard inside a minute of the restart.
Cech denied Gerrard with an outstretched leg and Sturridge rattled the woodwork with a rasping left-foot drive just moments later as Liverpool stepped on the gas.
Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson congratulate Daniel Sturridge
KOP A LOAD OF THAT ... Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson congratulate Daniel Sturridge
But the ex-Chelsea man did not have to wait long for a goal as Suarez dropped a ball over the top for him to stab home after 52 minutes.
The lead, however, did not last for long due to Suarez foolishly handling to stop Torres getting his head to a corner.
Luis Suarez is booked moments after handling in the box
THE BAD ... Luis Suarez is booked moments after handling in the box
After a lengthy delay, Hazard made no mistake with the resulting penalty to restore Chelsea's lead in the 57th minute.
The Belgian came close to adding to his tally with a rasping drive but Lucas was on hand to head the shot over his own bar before it could trouble Reina.
Eden Hazard converts a penalty to restore Chelsea's lead
SPOT ON ... Eden Hazard converts a penalty to restore Chelsea's lead
Before firing a shot into Cech's arms, Suarez was lucky to stay on the pitch after sinking his teeth into Ivanovic.
And with Liverpool piling on the pressure, Benitez opted to throw Yossi Benayoun into the fray in place of goalscorer Hazard.
Eden Hazard is all smiles after scoring from the spot
MR COOL ... Eden Hazard is all smiles after scoring from the spot
Jonjo Shelvey replaced Stewart Downing for Liverpool moments later and the midfielder quickly found himself in the book for a lunge at Oscar, who was unable to continue and replaced by Victor Moses.
Shelvey then wasted a glorious chance to pull his side level, placing the ball wide of Cech's goal when it appeared easier to score.
Branislav Ivanovic reacts after being bitten by Luis Suarez
THE UGLY ... Branislav Ivanovic reacts after being bitten by Luis Suarez
With injury time to come and his side pinned back, Benitez sent on Chelsea stalwart Frank Lampard in place of the tiring Mata.
But the Blues were left to wonder what might have been when Suarez came to Liverpool's rescue in the dying seconds.
DREAM TEAM STAR MAN - EDEN HAZARD (Chelsea)
LIVERPOOL: Reina 5, Johnson 5, Carragher 6, Agger 6, Enrique 5, Gerrard 7, Lucas 6, Downing 7 (Shelvey 5), Henderson 6, Coutinho 5 (Sturridge 8), Suarez 0. Subs not used: Jones, Assaidi, Coates, Coady, Skrtel. Booked: Carragher, Lucas, Suarez.
CHELSEA: Cech 7, Azpilicueta 6, Ivanovic 6, Luiz 6, Bertrand 6, Ramires 7, Mikel 6, Mata 8 (Lampard 5), Oscar 7 (Moses 5), Hazard 8 (Benayoun 5), Torres 6. Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Terry, Ba. Booked: Azpilicueta, Torres.
REF: K Friend 6.

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