Skip to main content

Super Sub Hazard Helps Chelsea Dump Liverpool Out Of League Cup

Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri is mobbed by teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool on September 26, 2018. Paul ELLIS / AFP
Eden Hazard came off the bench to fire Chelsea into the last 16 of the League Cup with a 2-1 victory at Anfield and inflict Liverpool’s first defeat of the season in all competitions.
Daniel Sturridge looked set to haunt his former employers by opening the scoring for Liverpool shortly after he had missed an open goal early in the second half.
Both sides made nine changes with one eye on the top of the table Premier League clash between the same two sides on Saturday.
But Maurizio Sarri’s gamble on throwing on Hazard 10 minutes into the second half paid off as Emerson Palmieri levelled from his free-kick 11 minutes from time before the Belgian’s wonderful solo effort won the tie.
It was another frustrating night for Alvaro Morata, though, as the Chelsea striker failed to make the impact Sturridge did at the other end.
Morata’s best chance came inside 20 minutes when the Spaniard latched onto Cesc Fabregas’s pass over the top.
Simon Mignolet did well to divert Morata’s initial chipped effort before he dragged the rebound across goal and beyond the far post.
Liverpool took longer to adjust to the wholesale changes with £47 million ($58 million) signing Fabinho making his full debut in midfield, while Dejan Lovren made his first appearance of the season in central defence after playing a full part as Croatia reached the World Cup final.
However, they dominated the early stages of the second period and should have been in front when Sturridge rounded Willy Caballero, but somehow skewed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Sarri introduced Hazard with 35 minutes remaining, but moments later his side were behind as Sturridge made amends in spectacular fashion with an overhead kick after Caballero parried Naby Keita’s drive.
Hazard took his time to make an impact, but also had a hand in the equaliser as his free-kick was headed goalwards by Ross Barkley and, after Mignolet made a smart save, Emerson poked home the rebound.
Sturridge came close to putting Liverpool back in front as he hit the bar.
But instead, it was Hazard who showed his class to strike the winner as he danced past five Liverpool challenges before crashing a rising shot into the far corner for his sixth goal of the season.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp immediately introduced Mohamed Salah for the final few minutes in the hunt for an equaliser.
But it was to no avail as another chance to land his first trophy as Liverpool manager slipped by for Klopp.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Libya vs Nigeria: Samuel Kalu reveals Super Eagles’ 2nd leg game plan

Super Eagles forward, Samuel Kalu has revealed his team game plan when they take on Libya on Tuesday in the 2nd Leg of the 2019 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifying fixture. The Eagles head to the game after a 4-0 win against the North Africans in the 1st leg played on Saturday in Uyo. Kalu who scored the last goal for Nigeria against Libya in the first leg following Odion Ighalo’s hat-trick said Gernot Rohr’s men will approach the Mediterranean Knights with aggressiveness. ”We are definitely going into that match with a mindset of get all three points. We will approach the match with the same aggressive way like we did in Uyo,” the Bordeaux star told Allnigeriasoccer. ”It’s not going to be easy because the Libyans want to respond to their heavy loss but I am confident we will get the right result.” “I am well pleased to have scored my first goal for the national team,” Kalu added. ”As a young boy playing football on the streets, I always dreamt of scoring for Nigeria, and...

Luka Modric Wins Ballon d’Or, Ending Decade of Ronaldo and Messi Dominance

For the first time in over a decade, somebody other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, Luka Modric is the world’s best footballer. Midfield wizard Luka Modric has been named recipient of the 2018 Ballon d’Or. The announcement came in Paris on Monday. The award has been given out annually since 1956 through France Football Magazine to the player of the year as decided by a panel of football journalists. The Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder breaks up the 10-year streak of Ronaldo or Messi claiming the prize. Juventus forward Ronaldo, the winner of the past two awards, finished second and Atletico Madrid and France striker Antoine Griezmann was third. Barcelona’s Messi was left off the podium for the first time since 2006, largely due to Argentina’s poor showing at the World Cup, but was a part of the 30-man shortlist for the award that also included Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Liverpool forward Mo Salah and Manchester United and France midfielder Paul P...

Liverpool vs Chelsea: Team news, injuries, possible lineups

Liverpool will tonight take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup third round clash at Anfield. The Reds head to the game following a 3-0 victory against Southampton last weekend in the Premier League. Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, has confirmed that goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet will start for the hosts. Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno could feature in defence, while youngster, Curtis Jones may be included in the team if Klopp rests each of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Dominic Solanke is likely to sit on the bench, while Adam Lallana and Divock Origi have been ruled out from the clash due to injury. Meanwhile, Chelsea on the other hand head to the game after playing a goalless draw against West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday. The Blues manager, Maurizio Sarri, is likely to be without each of Antonio Rudiger, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pedro due to injuries when they clash against Klopp’s men. Sarri may start Andreas Christensen, Cahill and Cesc...