Football Review | Liverpool 1 - 1 Chelsea
A decent point for Chelsea as they hold Liverpool
Enzo Fernandez cancelled out Ryan Gravenberch's strike in Merseyside
Author | Lewis W
Stadium | Anfield
Liverpool made a bright start, with Ryan Gravenberch finishing superbly with a curling effort into the top corner from the edge of the area after being picked out by Rio Ngumoha.
Having taken an early advantage, Liverpool allowed Chelsea back into the contest. The visitors gradually settled and grew in confidence as the first half developed, with Giorgi Mamardashvili called into action to deny Marc Cucurella.
The equaliser arrived 10 minutes before the interval when Enzo Fernández delivered a free-kick that drifted beyond everyone and found its way into the net.
This was the lift in performance Chelsea desperately needed.
Supporter protests are planned on Wembley Way before next weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City, but at least Chelsea will head into the match without the weight of another defeat hanging over them.
Had the losing run continued at Anfield, Chelsea would have suffered seven straight league defeats for only the second time in their history, and for the first time in 74 years.
They would also have become the first side in English football history to lose seven matches in succession before appearing in an FA Cup final.
It was vital, then, to halt the slide during a grim spell that has already cost former head coach Liam Rosenior his job.
Monday’s 3-1 defeat by a second-string Nottingham Forest had been a miserable start to league life in charge for McFarlane.
Some positivity again ahead of the cup final
There were, however, encouraging signs for McFarlane to take from this performance. He secured his first win of this second spell in charge in the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United at Wembley and, at Anfield, even against another side struggling for consistency, his selection choices were largely justified.
The return of centre-back Levi Colwill, making his first appearance in 10 months, coincided with Chelsea switching to a back three for only the third time this season.
Chelsea fell behind from Liverpool’s first effort on goal and briefly looked shaken, but they regrouped and deservedly found an equaliser.
It was far from a classic display, but it represented progress and offered something to build upon. The emphasis on attacking down the left through Marc Cucurella brought reward, while Cole Palmer showed flashes of rediscovering his rhythm within the system. It also helped Chelsea cope with an attacking injury crisis, with four wingers currently sidelined.
Chelsea remain outsiders in the race for European football and still have considerable work to do in their final two Premier League fixtures.
More importantly, they now head into the cup final with at least a degree of belief restored, even if Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City remain overwhelming favourites.
Comments
Post a Comment