Liverpool narrowly beat Chelsea to maintain 100% winning record in the Premier League
Liverpool narrowly beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to maintain their 100% winning record at the start of the Premier League season.
Alexander-Arnold gave Liverpool the lead with a stunning strike into the top corner of the net following a close range free kick. Chelsea then had a goal disallowed for offside by VAR and just a minute later Roberto Firmino doubled Liverpool’s advantage with a close range header.
N'Golo Kante then created and finished an impressive goal for the Blues to make the score 2-1 with 20 minutes to play, but despite dominating the second half Frank Lampard’s side were unable to break down their opponents and Liverpool took the win.
Liverpool had won their first five games in the Premier League but were beaten in the Champions League away at Napoli and would have been hoping to get back to winning ways against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
And it didn’t take long for Liverpool to go ahead in the match. Just 14 minutes played and defender Alexander-Arnold scored a stunning opening goal.
The Reds won a free-kick on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area and a routine from the training ground worked perfectly. Mo Salah flicked the ball into the path of Alexander-Arnold who rifled the ball into the top corner of the net.
Chelsea were on the back foot during the first half but Tammy Abraham had a glorious chance to level the scores with 23 minutes gone. Andreas Christensen’s through-ball left the Liverpool defence motionless, but Reds goalkeeper made the save one on one when the Chelsea striker really should have scored.
Lampard’s side thought they had equalised through Cesar Azpilicueta just before half time after the ball had ricocheted around the Liverpool penalty area, but VAR showed in the build-up to the goal, Mason Mount was narrowly offside and the goal was ruled out.
From thinking they had equalised, just a minute later and Chelsea found themselves 2-0 down. An Andy Robertson cross into the penalty area from an Alexander-Arnold free kick was headed in from just five yards out by Firmino and Jurgen Klopp’s side were in cruise control.
2-0 the score at half time.
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The away side started the second half quickly and Firmino will count himself unlucky not to have found his side’s third goal of the game. Kepa Arrizabalaga made a low save down to his left from the Brazilian’s close range volley.
Chelsea were searching for a way back into the game and had the vocal support of the Stamford Bridge Crowd. First Abraham came close with a flicked effort and then Kante dragged a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.
And Chelsea did get a goal back with 20 minutes remaining. Kante created and finished it himself, weaving past a couple of Liverpool players before finding the top corner of the net with a stunning struck to halve the deficit.
The home side were in the ascendancy and hunting an equaliser. Michy Batshuayi and Mason Mount came closest, but despite constant pressure Chelsea were unable to break down a resilient Liverpool back line and the Reds took the 2-1 victory.
Liverpool maintain their 100% winning start to the Premier League season and are five points ahead of Manchester City at top of the table. Chelsea beaten for the second time this season and sit 11th.
Next up for Liverpool is a Carabao Cup third round fixture away against MK Dons of League Two on Wednesday. Chelsea take on Grimsby Town at Stamford Bridge in the same competition.
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