Glen Johnson snatched a late winner at death to snatch 3 points for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Maxi Rodriguez gave the Reds a deserved half-time lead with a clinical finish after a quick move from Liverpool. The lead lasted shortly after halftime when Daniel Sturridge shot from close range.
On a day when Fernando Torres and Raúl Meireles met their former club, it was Glen Johnson, the Chelsea veteran, who had the last laugh at his former employers to give Liverpool a much-needed 1-2 win.
Manager Kenny Dalglish had made 3 changes to the team that faced Swansea. Dirk Kuyt was given the nod, as was Craig Bellamy, who Kenny hoped would recreate some of the form he showed during the international break, where he was a pivotal figure for Wales against Norway. The team sheet also saw a surprise inclusion for Maxi Rodríguez, making him his first start of the campaign.
The game started lively, both teams were offering attacks and Maxi Rodríguez came close to scoring twice, but John Terry and Ivanovic denied him and got him out of the way. The Argentine was looking to capitalize on his rare start and show manager Kenny what he has to offer.
Chelsea also offered a goal threat, with the likes of Juan Mata, Drogba and Lampard all starting and almost ahead at the 10-minute mark. Florent Malouda brilliantly parried right-back Glen Johnson’s pass, and launched a diving cross to the back post, but Mata couldn’t capitalize, blasting his shot in front of goal. John Obi Mikel then attempted a daring goal-scoring effort from 25 yards, only for his shot to clear the crossbar.
Chelsea seemed then to take the lead, in what thousands thought in the stadium and at home. Didier Drogba won a free kick at the edge of the box and stepped forward to take it. The ball went out to have hit the back of the net, but on second glance it had narrowly missed the post and grazed the outside net. A farewell for the Reds.
Soon it was Liverpool’s turn to threaten Chelsea’s goal again; John Terry fumbled in a dangerous position to Dirk Kuyt, who released Suarez, fresh off a 4-goal demolition for Uruguay. But the striker couldn’t tell the forward from Maxi or Craig Bellamy.
Liverpool soon made up for previous missed chances. This time it was Mikel who moved inside his own half, quick pressure from Charlie Adam allowing Craig Bellamy to snatch the ball from him in a one-two with Suarez before faking a shot past Maxi down the left, who He was left with the simple task of placing him past goalkeeper Cech. A precise move saw Liverpool finally convert a chance, which has turned into a struggle of late.
The advantage then extended almost to two. A defensive pass from Lucas Leiva went through Luis Suarez, but the Uruguayans’ first cross was deflected by David Luiz and almost into the net.
With Chelsea behind, Villas Boas had to change things. Mikel was replaced by Daniel Sturridge at halftime. The change seemed to have worked, they came out of the blocks fast and created an opportunity instantly. Mata and Lampard had cleverly combined to release Drogba, but the Ivorian could only lift the ball over the crossbar.
However, the equalizer came in the 55th minute. Malouda was allowed to advance into the box, before his deflected shot found Sturridge at the far post, who made no mistake and slotted it into the corner from close range.
Chelsea were on top and nearly made two, a David Luiz touch from a resulting free kick deftly deflected by Reina with an instinctive save.
Kenny Daglish looked for his bench to reinforce the midfield. Craig Bellamy gave way to Jordan Henderson, another player who shone during the international break.
An overhand kick from Malouda drew applause from the Chelsea crowd, but that’s where the honors ended as Reina watched him slide comfortably past the post. The Frenchman then had the best chance of the match to assert Chelsea’s dominance in the second half, but his shot from close range went wide.
Then former Reds Torres and Meireles took their bows, greeted by a series of boos from the traveling Kop, drowning out the cheers of the home fans. But it was Liverpool who threatened, some sublime skill from Henderson seeing him past Ashley Cole for nutmeg and then fending off a sliding challenge from John Terry, crossing for Downing who sacked Kuyt but the Dutchman’s shot was anything but. build up.
In the 87th minute, the match seemed headed for a draw, with neither team able to deliver a knockout blow. Until Charlie Adam picked up the ball in the center of midfield and found ex-Blue Johnson with his trademark left foot pass. The right-back hit Ashley Cole and entered the box, meeting Petr Cech one-on-one, clinically finishing off with his left foot to give Liverpool the spoils. A well-deserved victory at Stamford Bridge for the second year in a row.