Liverpool wilts, Chelsea recovers to depart City the winner

The solely winner Sunday was Manchester City. And Romelu Lukaku definitely misplaced out.
What a pulsating, entertaining encounter for Lukaku to overlook — not out of his personal selecting — as Chelsea recovered to attract 2-2 with Liverpool with out the briefly exiled striker.
It left City 10 factors clear from Chelsea on the high of the Premier League with Liverpool an extra level again.
The sky blue ribbons appear like remaining on the trophy for one more yr because of the fading problem from the chasing pack.
That’s even earlier than Liverpool is the toughest hit by gamers heading to the African Cup of Nations. Before leaving for what might be greater than a month away, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah did contribute Liverpool’s objectives.

An prompt #PL basic at Stamford Bridge!
🔵 #CHELIV 🔴 pic.twitter.com/XGeMFy4FGa
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2022
Liverpool appeared to be coasting however was stung twice on the finish of the primary half with Mateo Kovacic’s volley and Christian Pulisic’s strike pulling Chelsea stage.
It was an engrossing and wild recreation that was solely tempered after the break by the goalkeeping of Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy denying Salah and Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher’s reflexes thwarting Pulisic’s pursuit of a winner.

Mateo Kovacic objective ⚽🚀
What a success #CHELIV Chelsea 1-2 Liverpoolpic.twitter.com/xUCSMnehB7
— BirdieFootball (@birdiefootball) January 2, 2022
Turn away and you would miss one other wondrous second. It was a recreation to maintain followers on their toes — which they might do legally in components of a Premier League stadium for the primary time in 28 years as a part of standing trials.
There was no standing, or seat, although for Chelsea record-signing Lukaku who was dropped by supervisor Thomas Tuchel for an outburst questioning his restricted position within the workforce.
Only 15 seconds into the sport, it appeared like Mane may additionally have had no additional position within the recreation.
Elbowing César Azpilicueta within the face whereas making an attempt to beat the Chelsea captain, Mane instantly confronted motion from the referee. But he escaped with solely a reserving — the earliest recorded in a Premier League match.
It meant Mane was nonetheless on the pitch to attain the opener within the ninth minute.
Trevoh Chalobah’s weak headed clearance created the opening for Mane to spherical Mendy and place the ball within the internet previous the helpless Azpilicueta.

GOAL Pulisic!!! #CHELIVChelsea 2-2 Liverpoolpic.twitter.com/dCBNvzTFm5
— WFGOAL (@WFTV16) January 2, 2022
Chelsea had wilted and appeared rattled. Especially when Salah’s brilliance prolonged Liverpool’s benefit within the twenty sixth minute.

Mohamed Salah Goal ⚽️ !
Chelsea 0: 2 Liverpool #RIP Chelsea pic.twitter.com/X4EFqKYphs
— Brook Williams (@ssozigeorge1) January 2, 2022
The high scorer was concerned within the buildup earlier than receiving the ball again from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross and controlling it previous the befuddled Marcos Alonso and squeezing a shot previous Mendy at his close to submit.
It was simply the newest second of awe from a striker having fun with one other standout season that’s seen him hit 23 objectives, together with 16 within the league.
Liverpool was cruising. Soon it was cursing.

Sadio Mane Goal Liverpool Vs Chelsea 1_0 pic.twitter.com/cXYjAQGcTi
— Faster Goal | أهداف كرة القدم (@zineb_zizo_1) January 2, 2022
The recreation swung round inside three minutes on the finish of the primary half.
A free kick from the best was punched clear by Kelleher however solely to the sting of the penalty space. Unbalanced however nonetheless in a position to make a clear first-time connection, Mateo Kovacic volleyed impressively into the highest nook off the within of the submit.
Chelsea’s anxiousness that the objective might be dominated out for an offside quickly subsided for recent celebrations. And Chelsea was celebrating once more rapidly once more in stoppage time when Pulisic leveled after being launched by N’Golo Kante and lifting the shot over Kelleher.
The third objective from Pulisic in 11 league appearances this season rescued a degree for Chelsea that had appeared to be out of attain.