THERE WAS PLENTY of talk about former players gaining revenge ahead of the clash between Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
However, one unlikely hero was former Blue Glen Johnson, who scored the late, match-winning goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge – handing all three points to Kenny Dalglish’s men.
Liverpool made the brighter start with both Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy looking like potential threats early on. Didier Drogba thought he had broken the deadlock with a free kick 20 minutes in when the ball flickered around in the back of Pepe Reina’s net, just on the wrong side of the post however.
David Luiz came to John Terry’s rescue when the latter was robbed of possession by Dirk Kuyt a few minutes later and signs of pressure from Liverpool continued until the opening goal came courtesy of some terrible decision making by Petr Cech and John Obi Mikel.
The duo decided to try and play the ball out from the back but Mikel was dispossessed easily by Charlie Adam, who then fed Bellamy to his left. A neat one-two followed before Maxi planted the ball beyond the reach of Cech.
Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas acted smartly at the half time, bringing Daniel Sturridge on for Mikel, and he was rewarded within ten minutes when the striker slotted home the equaliser after some wonderful build-up play by Florent Malouda and Terry.
The goal put the Reds out to sea for a spell and Chelsea almost took the lead moments later when Branislav Ivanovic forced Reina into a superb point-blank save from another Drogba set piece. Juan Mata and Malouda continued to cause problems for Liverpool – the latter sending a volley crashing wide when he seemed to have Cech’s goal at bay – but the final say would be Liverpool’s.
Receiving the ball from Man of the Match Charlie Adam, Johnson raced into the box, cut inside Ashley Cole and brushed past the presence of Malouda to unleash a fierce drive past Cech.
What it means: Three defeats in four for Chelsea. AVB must be feeling a little pressure considering the success the club has experienced in recent years and the fact that Guus Hiddink is now available for hire. Liverpool are up to sixth, now level on 22 points with their London rivals.
