Costa gives Chelsea victory at Anfield

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Liverpool 1 Chelsea 2

Diego Costa’s second-half winner – his 10th goal of the season – clinched another victory for the unbeaten Premier League leaders.

Gary Cahill hauled them level after Emre Can’s effort had deflected in off the Chelsea defender to give Liverpool an early lead.

And Costa struck in the 67th minute, finishing emphatically after Simon Mignolet had pushed out Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross.

Chelsea were worthy winners but had some good fortune.

Cahill, having got the benefit of the doubt after blocking Raheem Sterling’s first-half shot in the area with his upper arm, appeared to handle Steven Gerrard’s late effort but again escaped without a penalty being awarded.

It meant another triumph at Anfield for Jose Mourinho’s side, whose win there in April wrecked Liverpool’s title hopes.

The hosts went ahead when Can tried his luck from long range and his shot looped into the net after striking Cahill, giving wrong-footed keeper Thibaut Courtois no chance.

Can had gone close with another deflected shot in the opening minute, when the ball flashed just wide after hitting John Terry.

Chelsea responded strongly to going behind and equalised in the 14th minute with the help of goal-line technology – ironically in front of the Kop, where Luis Garcia’s infamous 2005 Champions League semi-final goal against them was allowed to stand after being adjudged to have crossed the line.

Cesc Fabregas’ corner was flicked on by Costa and after Mignolet superbly saved Terry’s header, Cahill did enough to score despite the keeper’s best efforts on the line.

Cahill was soon at the centre of the action again, throwing himself at Sterling’s shot, with the home fans appealing in vain for a spot-kick.

Chelsea ended the first half strongly, with Costa causing problems for an increasingly ragged defence and the dangerous Eden Hazard seeing two shots blocked before another was saved by Mignolet.

Costa continued to threaten after the break, sending an acrobatic effort over, while Courtois kept out Sterling’s driven shot at the other end.

And Costa eventually got the goal he deserved. Willian, on as a substitute, played a key role, finding Azpilicueta whose ball into the danger zone led to the winner.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Ramires (Willian 54), Oscar, Hazard (Filipe Luis 90); Costa (Drogba 90).
Subs not used: Cech, Zouma, Mikel, Remy.

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