Sunday 10 May 2015 – Champions 1 Liverpool 1
[1]So, the much anticipated Guard of Honour given for our boys by the begrudging Liverpool players as they entered the pitch as Champions. Also a much talked about and welcome start for Rubén Loftus-Cheek in a number of changes including Kurt Zouma, Filipe Luis and Loic Remy.
A very lively start to the game, strong tackles on Sterling and Coutinho sending an early message that the game wasn’t going to be a stroll despite sealing the title the week before. And after just 5 minutes our JT became the highest scoring defender in Premier League history when he powered a header into the back of the net, leaving Mignolet and Gerrard floundering on the floor.
[2]We certainly looked like we had our match mojo back, reminiscent of the earlier part of the season, an enjoyable game of football in the sunshine, and the fans in a celebratory mood. But just after the half hour Zouma went down with what appeared to be a knee injury, replaced by Gary Cahill.
Just before half time a needless foul by Ivanovic resulted in a dangerously positioned free kick, which ended in the inevitable equaliser from Steven Gerrard, but fair play to him for turning and running back rather than celebrate in front of the Matthew Harding. HT 1-1.
As th
[3]e pace of the second half dropped, I did wonder if Jose was playing for the draw! But for all Liverpool’s work to find a potential winner and Raheem Sterling’s girlie runs, there was no way we were going to lose the game, even if we didn’t look like winning it.
On 60 minutes Rubén Loftus-Cheek received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Nemanja Matic, Jose turning to a more experienced presence to shore things up in the latter stages of the game. A fantastic start for the youngster, and a solid performance.
We continued to create chances but Eden Hazard wasn’t quite at the races – suppose he is allowed the rare below par performance! And why chase a game we don’t need to win and are never likely to lose?
[4]With 10 minutes to play Gerrard was taken off in what will be his last game at the Bridge, to applause from many of the Chelsea fans as well as the subdued history boys. Five minutes later Remy was replaced by Cuadrado, but not to quite the same level of noise!
Full time, and it was one of those proverbial games of two halves. But it’s carnival time at the Bridge right now and as we’re still 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League we can relax and enjoy the remainder of the season.
[5]Posted by Chelsea Debs
Debs can be found on Twitter as @cfcunofficial [6] and at cfcunofficial.com [7]
You can read all Chelsea Debs ‘Match Reports’ here [8]
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