Defeat at Anfield

Liverpool and that too at Anfield were never easy although we came good last three times around ... but that was last time. This time it wasn't .... 2-0 was how it ended. I was really looking upto this match as Cech was going to return after a lengthy injury, and seeing the best goalkeeper in the world marshalling our goalposts again was indeed a pleasant side. But Carvalho missing out due to fever really made a serious dent on our chances in the match even before the ball was kicked. It was never going to be easy for Ferreira and Essien, both makeshift centrebacks to hold against the likes of Crouch and Kuyt, one strong in the air and the other very powerful. And it all showed in the manner in which the first goal was conceded. Ferreira caught on the wrong side and Kuyt netting in an easy volley. Cech made a couple of good saves to keep Liverpool at bay but again on 18th minute Essien's poor clearance landed the ball on Pennant's feet and unchallenged he didn't made any mistake to put the ball in the back of Chelsea net.

The outcome was looking all the much clearer with Robben limping away after 20 mins and substituted by Wright-Phillips. The list is getting longer and longer with Terry, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Bridge, Joe Cole and now Robben getting injured. Mikel had come on in place of Makelele who was suspended for this match and he was really the pick of the players in the opening period. Fighting for the ball, clearing , intercepting - he really put in a good show today.
Chelsea enjoyed possession and control in many periods of the game but it never looked like a goal was going to come. Wright-Phillips did have a good game and he made a number of good runs in and around the Liverpool defence but it was never meant to be. Drogba was working tirelessly but even he didn't came close to scoring. Ballack, Kalou and Ashley Cole had a poor game ... Ashley was never seen on the left side of the pitch in the second half. Shevchenko was introduced late in the second half to shift to more attacking formation but it was never too good.
Final score remained 2-0 at Anfield which was indeed a miserable outing for Chelsea.

Being a Chelsea supporter it's hard to say but Liverpool deserved to win today- they defended well and when chances came along they took it with both hands. I can't fault much the performance of the team because it looked right from the start that defence is going to be the real issue -if it clicks we might get something out of the game. But two goals in the opening 20 mins really put a lot of pressure and from there on it was never going to easy.

With ManU meeting Arsenal tomorrow and a victory would further widen the gap at the top and realistically it would mean probably the end of our League hopes. But I am counting on Arsenal and am quite optimistic that they would certainly stop that thing from happening. I hope come tomorrow we would still have everything to play for in the league.