Chelsea 1 Liverpool 2: Jordan Henderson stunner and Dejan Lovren see Reds earn deserved win over lacklustre Blues
England midfielder scored an absolute stunner as Liverpool held on for a deserved win at Stamford Bridge
LIVERPOOL scored an impressive victory at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Dejan Lovren and a stunner from Jordan Henderson.
Diego Costa pulled one back for Chelsea who missed the chance to go top of the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp's Reds opened through the centre-back after a poor defensive mix-up from a Blues defence missing John Terry.
Lovren was one of three players unmarked at the back post following a free-kick and volleyed past Thibaut Courtois.
Henderson then doubled Liverpool's lead with an absolute belter that looped high over the Belgian goalkeeper and into the top corner.
Costa hit back in the second half after good build-up but failed to create much as Liverpool held on for a deserved win.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS
- Lights dimmed and lasers beamed across Stamford Bridge just before kick-off. It was more like a West End show than the start of a football match.
- David Luiz didn’t make Chelsea’s defence look any tighter on his second debut for the club. Their backline looked nervous on the ball.
- Dejan Lovren was sporting a black eye when he slotted home the opener. He looked the part as he battled with Diego Costa.
- John Terry was behind the bench watching on. He can’t come back soon enough from his foot injury sustained at Swansea last weekend.
- Jordan Henderson had not scored a goal since January but his strike was a 30-yard stunner, leaving no chance for Thibaut Courtois.
- David Luiz was in the wars too. His faced was gashed after going up for a header with Sadio Mane.
- So much for Diego Costa leaving Chelsea. Five in five games for the Spanish hard man, who was linked with a move back to Spain.
- Friday night football looks like it is here to stay judging by the way Sky Sports counted down to the match and build it up.
- Klopp must love it at Stamford Bridge. He won there last season early in his reign and followed it up with last night’s victory.
- Liverpool blocked cleverly for the opening goal. Daniel Sturridge could claim a cheeky assist.
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BIG PICTURE
NEXT FIVE FIXTURES
CHELSEA
Sep 20 - Leicester (a), League Cup
Sep 24 - Arsenal (a)
Oct 1 - Hull City (a)
Oct 15 - Leicester City (h)
Oct 23 - Man United (h)
LIVERPOOL
Sep 20 - Derby (a), League Cup
Sep 24 - Hull City (h)
Oct 1 - Swansea (a)
Oct 17 - Man United (h)
Oct 22 - West Brom (h)
SOCIAL SAYS
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Chelsea: Courtois 6, Ivanovic 7, Cahill 6, Luiz 6, Azpilicueta 6, Kante 6, Matic 7 (Fabregas 84), Oscar 6 (Pedro 84), Willian 7 (Moses 84), Hazard 7, Costa 7.
Subs not used: Begovic, Aina, Alonso, Batshuayi
Goals: Costa 61
Booked: Willian
Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Clyne, Matip 6, Lovren 8, Milner 6, Henderson 8, Wijnaldum 7 (Stewart 90), Lallana 6, Coutinho 7 (Lucas 82), Mane 6, Sturridge 6 (Origi 57, 6).
Subs not used: Karius, Grujic, Moreno, Ejaria
Goals: Lovren 16, Henderson 36
Booked: Lucas
STAR MAN: Jordan Henderson, 8
WHAT THEY SAID
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte: "The goals we conceded were strange.
"We have to reflect a lot on this game, because it is important to understand the situation if we don't want to repeat another bad season like last season."
Liverpool managher Jurgen Klopp: "We played football like hell. It was really nice to watch.