Captains cancel each other out in 1-1 draw
A goal from each captain saw Chelsea and Liverpool play out a 1-1 draw this evening at Stamford Bridge, which all-but ends the visitors hopes of a top-four finish and Champions League football next season.
The Reds went into the game knowing nothing but a win would keep their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive, but after going behind after just five minutes, it was clear it would be a tough task.
Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace yesterday but Louis Van Gaal’s men seven points ahead of Brendan Rodgers’ side, and with just two games left and a superior goal difference, United knew that anything but a Liverpool win would secure them Champions League football after just a year away.
It was Chelsea who took the lead after just five minutes when John Terry jumped the highest to meet a Cesc Fabregas corner and header home past Simon Mignolet.
However, the centre-back’s goal was cancelled out on the stroke of half-time as Steven Gerrard was left unmarked at the fast post to head home at Jordan Henderson free-kick.
Two goals from the club captains and all level going into the interval.
The second half was a quiet affair with neither side having glorious chances to take all the three points, and despite the visitors pushing hard for the much needed winner, the game ended all square.
The draw leaves Liverpool six points behind United with just two games left, but due to their poor goal difference, a top four finish is out of reach.
Back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal cost Liverpool dearly, and after the game, both clubs spoke to the media.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: “It was a good performance if you understand the circumstances. When a team is always playing at the limits to be champions, a team that is champions last weekend it is normal that you lose a bit of intensity.
“But we worked hard. We had players at a positive level and we were competing for a result. We were very good in the first half. Physically we went down in the second half.
“It was important for us to show that we are champions and we have the dignity of trying to get a result. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, I took him off because I could imagine him suffering in the final 30 minutes.
“He came off at the right moment, he understood what the Premier League is and it couldn’t be better.
“To get an ovation at Stamford Bridge is special for Steven Gerrard, we have lots of respect for the top guys. I will miss him.”
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard speaks to Sky Sports: “I think now this team’s got to prepare for next year. We wanted to make a statement with our performance today. Unfortunately we didn’t win the game but we’ve shown that with a few additions we can compete next year.”
On giving Chelsea a guard of honour: “It’s not nice the guard of honour but Chelsea have won the league, they deserved it but it wasn’t nice doing it.
“We’ve shown we’ve come up a bit short. I think it’s important the lads get some rest, the owners try and dig deep and help Brendan out. There’s a great core of players here. This league is getting more and more difficult every year. We lost Suarez, we haven’t had Daniel Sturridge, it’s been tough.”
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers speaks to Sky Sports: “I think we got off to an awful start. A disappointing goal from our perspective. We got ourselves back into the game, a good header from Stevie was well worked and I thought in the second half we were outstanding, we just lacked that bit of quality in the final third.”
On the early Fabregas challenge and booking: “It was poor tackle, very, very early in the game and one we are disappointed the referee didn’t see. You can see Fabregas jumps in and catches Raheem.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
