Chelsea 1 Liverpool 1

Last updated : 10 May 2015 By Paul Lagan

John Terry shot the Blues into an early lead but tiredness overcame the league champions and they succumbed to  a sucker-punch equaliser from Liverpool's Steven Gerrard To draw 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.

It was a game of firsts and lasts.
The first, a welcome debut from Rubén Loftus-Cheek in Chelsea's midfield and at the other end of the career scale, the final appearance against Chelsea for Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.
John Terry got the home crowd singing with a sixth minute header only for Gerrard to spoil the party on the stroke of half time with an unchallenged header.

Within 30 seconds of forming part of the guard of honour for the Champions, Liverpool's Raheem Sterling's was hacked to the ground by Cesc Fabregas. The Spain midfielder was yellow carded for the challenge by Andre Marriner.
The Blues first attack on five minutes almost saw Eden Hazard get to a right-wing cross by Willian, but Martin Skrtel headed away for a corner. But from the resultant corner by Fabregas, John Terry rose above Rickie Lambert to plant a firm header wide of Simon Mignolet to open the scoring.
Jose Mourinho gave a league debut to 19-year-old Rubén Loftus-Cheek in midfield. The youngster joined the Blues aged eight.
He captained the FA Youth Cup side last season and he also won that title in 2012. He won the UEFA a Youth League in April and is an England u-19 international.
Fabregas forced a fine save from Mignolet on 27 minutes. The Belgium tipping away an angled pile-driver.
Kurt Zouma's game was ended on 34 minutes. He injured itself after five minutes and tried to carry on but his right knee couldn't take the strain - Gary Cahill replaced him.
Liverpool equalised a minute before half time in the most simplest of fashion - a clipped byline free kick Henderson went to the Chelsea's back post where Steve Gerrard, unmarked, just nodded the ball into Chelsea's net from close range.
There was no change of personnel at half-time but the Blues started sluggishly and almost scored within a minute through Philippe Coutinho, but his right-footed shot scrapped Thibaut Courtois's right netting.
A rasping Wi.liam effort on 55 minutes inched wide of Liverpool's goal as both side went in search of a winner.
Loftus-Cheek was replaced on 60 minutes for Nemanja Matic. Twice Fabregas conjured up chances, both times he was thwarted at the last minute.
Gerard was taken off with 12 minutes to go with rapturous applause from both sets of supporters echoing round the stadium.
That was the end of Gerrard against Chelsea and effectively the end of the match as a contest.
The point for Liverpool confirmed that they now don't have a chance of Champions League next season and it's the Europa Cup for them. That's something the Blues' fans won't have to worry about.
Next up for the Blues is a trip to WBA on Monday night.

 

 

Teams: Chelsea, Courtois, Ivanovic, Luis, Fabregas, Zouma, Hazard, Mikel, Remy, Willian, Terry, Loftus-Cheek
Subs, Mitchell Beeney, Ake, Drogba, Matic, Cuadrado, Cahill, Azpilicueta


Liverpool, Mignolet, Johnson, Lovren, Gerrard, Lambert, Coutinho, Henderson, Lallana, Can, Sterling, Skrtel
Subs, Ward, Toure, Moreno, Leiva, Allen, Ibe, Sinclair

Referee, Andre Marriner