Thomas Tuchel’s men conceded twice early on at Stamford Bridge against Liverpool. However, goals in quick succession close to the end of the first half brought the Blues back into the game, from which the two teams got a point each, ultimately.
Sadio Mane – lucky to even be on the pitch as per the Chelsea camp after a first-minute elbow barge on Cesar Azpilicueta – opened the scoring in the ninth minute.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70339278/1362384480.0.jpg)
The Senegal international capitalized on an error by Trevoh Chalobah, rounded compatriot Edouard Mendy, and scored into an empty net, minutes after Kelleher had prevented Christian Pulisic from doing the same.
Twenty-six minutes in, Mohamed Salah found space behind Chelsea’s wing-back Marcos Alonso, collected a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, and waited for Mendy to commit before beating the custodian at his near post.
Mateo Kovacic pulled a goal back for Chelsea with a sensational effort in the 42nd minute. As the ball broke to him on the edge of the box following a set-piece, the Croat thumped a volley back towards the goal that beat Caoimhin Kelleher despite his best efforts.
The Blues were back on level terms just a few minutes later when Pulisic atoned for his early miss by collecting a through ball from N’Golo Kante and lifting it over Kelleher to the sound of Stamford Bridge cheer.
Mendy pulled off a stunning stop to prevent Salah from re-establishing Liverpool’s lead on the other side of the break. The Chelsea goalkeeper, back-peddling, got a fingertip to Salah’s audacious long-range chip and diverted the ball away from danger.
Later on, at the other end, Kelleher parried away a Pulisic shot from close range to deny the American a second goal – and Chelsea, the winner. The two sides were left to be content with a point each, as they now find themselves chasing runaway leaders Manchester City in the title race.
