Chelsea denied victory by Sturridge’s stunning strike

 

Liverpool earned a point courtesy of Daniel Sturridge’s brilliant goal. [Picture: John Walton/PA Wire]

Chelsea 1 Liverpool 1


Daniel Sturridge’s stunning last-minute equaliser against his former club rescued a point for Liverpool in dramatic fashion.

Eden Hazard’s sublime goal looked like giving Chelsea another victory over the Reds, this time in the Premier League.

The Belgian, whose brilliant late goal gave the Blues a Carabao Cup win at Anfield in midweek, struck after 26 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

He rounded off a lovely Chelsea move by firing low past keeper Alisson after being put through by Mateo Kovacic.

That looked like ending Liverpool’s unbeaten record this season and taking Chelsea above them and level on points with leaders Manchester City.

Hazard delivered for Chelsea again. [Picture: John Walton/PA Wire]
But Sturridge, just on as a substitute, bent a spectacular 30-yard shot beyond Blues keeper Kepa and into the corner of the net.

Mohamed Salah, also playing against his former club, almost equalised shortly after Hazard’s goal.

He rounded Kepa after getting away from Marcos Alonso to collect Roberto Firmino’s flick, but Toni Rudiger was able to get back and clear the Egyptian forward’s effort off the line.

Sadio Mane was denied by a fine save from Kepa early in the second half and Xherdan Shaqiri missed a glorious chance to level when he poked wide after being found by Andy Robertson’s cross.

That miss looked like proving costly for Liverpool, but Sturridge had other ideas.

Chelsea: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Rudiger, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic (Barkley 81) Willian (Moses 74), Hazard, Giroud (Morata 65).
Subs not used: Caballero, Fabregas, Zappacosta, Cahill.