Eto’o gives Chelsea victory over Liverpool
Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1
Chelsea cranked up the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal as Samuel Eto’o’s poached first-half goal settled an enthralling encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool had taken a third-minute lead when Phillipe Coutinho’s free-kick, aimed in at Luis Suarez, bounced off Branislav Ivanovic and into the path of Martin Skrtel, who swept home.
Chelsea responded though by dominating the rest of the first half, Eden Hazard firing in a superb equaliser before Eto’o toe-poked home after good work by Oscar.
Liverpool provided a greater threat after the break, with Mamadou Sakho heading against the woodwork and Glen Johnson forcing a save from Petr Cech, but the Blues defence remained resolute.
Fernando Torres, signed from Liverpool for £50m in January 2011, came on as a late substitute and almost scored a dazzling solo goal, but keeper Simon Mignolet gathered his shot.
All eyes ahead of this game were on the first meeting between Suarez and Ivanovic since the Liverpool forward’s 10-match ban for biting the Serbian defender in the arm during the 2-2 draw at Anfield last April.
And their first tussle inadvertently led to Liverpool’s opener, as Coutinho’s set-piece deflected off Ivanovic’s arm and fell kindly for Skrtel to finish.
Chelsea were almost level immediately as Hazard’s shot was pushed on to Skrtel by Mignolet, but Johnson cleared the danger.
Frank Lampard forced Mignolet into a superb save from distance and Hazard was denied a penalty shout as Jose Mourinho’s side began to dominate.
They deservedly levelled when Oscar’s pass hit Mamadou Sakho and found Hazard, who curled a composed finish into the top corner.
Liverpool were kept well marshalled during the first half, and when they did break through, Gary Cahill produced an outstanding goal-saving challenge as Joe Allen prepared to pull the trigger.
But while Chelsea played some fine free-flowing football at times, it was a scrappy finish that turned out to be the winner.
Oscar, twisting in the box, pulled the ball back for Eto’o and his effort squirmed through Mignolet’s grasp.
Petr Cech was a virtual bystander in the first half until Allen thumped a shot towards goal late on but the Chelsea keeper was equal to it.
One downside for Mourinho was the early exit of Ivanovic, who limped off after half an hour, allowing Ashley Cole some action from the bench.
The second half continued in the same frantic manner.
Sakho rose to meet Jordan Henderson’s cross but saw his header come back off the angle of post and bar as Liverpool began on the front foot.
Eto’o then squandered a golden opportunity to extend Chelsea’s lead, firing at Mignolet’s arm after being sent clear by Hazard.
Suarez, who worked hard but with little reward, fired straight at Cech and wanted a penalty after a clash with John Terry, who was making his 600th Blues appearance.
The end-to-end nature of the game continued as Oscar curled narrowly wide after winning the ball back on the edge of the Liverpool box, while Johnson – cutting in on his left foot – produced a save from Cech.
The visitors then had a second claim for a penalty turned down when Eto’o appeared to trip Suarez off the ball, but Howard Webb was well positioned and turned the appeals down.
Torres, on for the final few minutes, almost made an instant impact against his old club with a fantastic dribble from the touchline but he couldn’t find the finish.
However, this win – Chelsea’s first over Liverpool in the league since May 2010 – keeps them firmly in the hunt for the title going into 2014.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic (Cole 30), Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Luiz, Lampard (Mikel 46); Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o (Torres 86).
Subs not used: Schwarzer, Essien, Schurrle, Mata.
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