Goals: Liverpool—Can 9’; Chelsea—Cahill 14’ - Costa 67’
Recap: Ninety minutes of inspired football saw Chelsea capture a 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Saturday.
A blistering start allowed Emre Can to open the affair a mere nine minutes after the start. Chelsea would equalize just five minutes later. Amid a scrum, the ball landed at the feet of center-back Gary Cahill. The 28-year-old showed enough composure to calmly finish his opportunity. The visitors showed their proverbial muscle after the break.
An individual effort from Cesar Azpilicueta created the chance for Diego Costa, who clinically finished the left-back’s lost cross, sealing the 2-1 victory.
Key Moment: Chelsea were fortunate to not concede a late equalizer. An attempt from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, one destined to finish on target, was blocked by the Chelsea defense. But it was blocked by Cahill’s arm. Unless the laws of the game have changed, that is a penalty and a bookable offense. The center-back escaped with neither.
Man of the Match: Despite the controversy, Cahill finished with a goal, nine clearances and a 100 percent success rate in duels.
Lesson Learned: Malaga’s Guillermo Ochoa is the latest goalkeeper to be linked with a potential transfer to Liverpool (via Liverpool Echo). For the club’s sake, it’d best be less rumor than reality. Simon Mignolet doesn't carry the pedigree a Premier League champion. In 11 appearances, the 26-year-old carries a putrid two clean sheets. An average back four is partially responsible for such low productivity, but his average of 1.67 saves per goal further highlight his deficiencies. The signing of Ochoa won’t propel Liverpool to win the league. Nothing will at this point, for that dream has already sailed in 2014. Liverpool now sit 15 points behind the leaders, but signing the Mexican international will solidify one of the club’s glaring flaws.
Up Next: Chelsea return home to face West Bromwich Albion in league play on Nov. 22, while Liverpool visit Crystal Palace on Nov. 23.
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via Squawka).
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