Friday, November 18, 2011

Chelsea v Liverpool: Classic encounters


By Emdad Rahman

Original article - In anticipation of Sunday’s mega clash at Stamford Bridge, GMF takes a look back at some classic encounters between Chelsea and Liverpool.

Liverpool 7-4 Chelsea (First Division, September 7, 1946)

This is one of Liverpool’s most illustrious results against Chelsea.
It was the Anfield feast that introduced Billy Liddell. The Preacher’s son ran riot, orchestrating the game and scoring two as Liverpool ran out 7-4 victors.
One of Liddell’s goals was scored straight from a corner.

A near 50,000 Anfield crowd also saw Billy Jones and Willie Fagan both score a brace each with Jack Balmer settling for a solitary strike.

Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (First Division, May 3, 1986)

Liverpool came to Stamford Bridge on a run of 10 wins in 11. Jim Beglin’s clever assist provided a moment of vintage Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool’s greatest ever player controlled the ball on his chest, and cleanly poked past Tony Godden to seal the League Championship for Liverpool and the first half of the only League and Cup Double of the decade.

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (Barclays Premier League, May 11, 2003)

Jesper Gronkjaer scored what will be hailed as one of the most important goals in Chelsea’s entire history.

His winning goal after Marcel Desailly had equalised Sami Hyppia’s opener ensured Chelsea’s entry into the Champions League for the very first time.

Despite the euphoria, Ken Bates' Chelsea was in deep financial mire, with the clubs debt nearing the £100 million mark. Analysts predicted another Peter Ridsdale style Leeds United collapse. However, during the close season the club were bought by an unknown Russian oligarch called Roman Abramovich.

Stamford Bridge and Chelsea Football club will never be the same again.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (Champions League semi-final, May 3, 2005)

Both teams have been involved in gargantuan Champions League tussles in recent years.

The game had it all; end to end football, Luis Garcia’s “phantom” goal and a second half Chelsea onslaught that left every Liverpool fan thinking that the clocks had stopped.

Liverpool’s defence was outstanding and resolute. An astonishing miss from Eidur Gudjohnsen 5 minutes into the 6 added for injury time sealed Chelsea’s fate.

It was the perfect run up to the miracle of Istanbul and Liverpool’s magnificent 5th Champions League trophy.

Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool (2004-05 League Cup Final, 27 February 2005)

The Millenium Stadium had become a fortress for Liverpool and the Reds were confident of another trophy to add to the burgeoning cabinet at Anfield. Normal service resumed as John Arne Riise scored the fastest goal in League Cup final history.

Chelsea’s pressure and dominance in possession paid off when Steven Gerrard headed into his own net. Jose Mourinho’s celebrations led to the Chelsea manager being sent to the stands – hushing the Liverpool fans with the finger on lip routine as the Portugeezer gleefully trudged off.

Mourinho’s jubilation met elation as Didier Drogba and Stamford Bridge flop Mateja Kezman added a further two goals to give the West Londoners a commanding lead. A late Antonio Núñez goal was to no avail as Chelsea held on for a 3-2 win.

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