Chelsea came from behind to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season, beating Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield this afternoon.
© Getty Images
The home side made a bright start to the match, with Emre Can seeing an early effort deflected behind before Philippe Coutinho forced a save from Thibaut Courtois.
Liverpool took the lead with less than 10 minutes played, as Can unleashed a long-range effort which took a deflection off Gary Cahill to get the better of the Chelsea keeper.
© Getty Images
The defender made amends down the other end five minutes later, although goal-line technology was needed to confirm that his strike from close range crossed the line after Simon Mignolet had tried to keep it out.
Chelsea had the better of the chances towards the end of the first half, but a Diego Costa shot flew high of the crossbar before Eden Hazard's low strike was saved.
Costa could have put the visitors ahead shortly after the restart, attempting an ambitious bicycle kick from a Hazard chip forward, but he did not trouble the keeper.
© Getty Images
Raheem Sterling looked to restore Liverpool's advantage on the counter-attack, sprinting down the wing before crossing in towards Mario Balotelli, but Courtois beat the striker to the ball.
Jose Mourinho's men started to dominate possession again, and took the lead for the first time with just over 20 minutes still to play as Costa was there to smash the ball in after Mignolet had parried a Cesar Azpilicueta cross into the path of the Spaniard.
© Getty Images
Jordan Henderson could have levelled the scores late on as a Joe Allen cross fell to the midfielder at the near post, but Nemanja Matic was there to turn it behind for a corner.
The home side wanted a penalty just before full time when a Steven Gerrard drive appeared to strike the hand of Cahill, but Anthony Taylor was not interested in their appeals.
Rickie Lambert tried to find Sterling deep into stoppage time with a cross from the right flank, while Sterling pulled in back for Fabio Borini, but the Italian could not find the target.
The result leaves Chelsea seven points clear of second-placed Southampton at the top of the table.
Sian Cowper
