Chelsea vs Liverpool
Match pulse
CHEAttacking pressure by 5 minutes
Who won: Chelsea 2-0
Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-0 on Sunday, February 5, 2006 at Stamford Bridge. Goals for Chelsea: William Gallas (35') and Hernán Crespo (68').
Play by play
- 92'
The Chelsea players celebrate as though they'd just won the title. Oh, wait...
- 92'
FULL-TIME: Chelsea triumph in a drab encounter, enlivened only by Reina's brainless, red-card challenge on Gudjohsen.
- 91'
TACKLE! Gerrard makes the tackle of the match as he slides in on Robben as the winger was about to score Chelsea's third from close range.
- 90'
Chelsea are finishing strongly; Liverpool look so downbeat. They will struggle to come to terms with losing this game, I'm sure.
- 89'
DREADFUL! A Chelsea corner is half-cleared to Essien, but the Ghanaian midfielder's first-time shot is sliced high over the crossbar.
- 88'
SHOT! The England midfielder drives a swerving shot goalwards, but Dudek stands firm to punch clear. Good effort from Lampard.
- 87'
Chelsea win a late free-kick, on the right-edge of the penalty area. Lampard stands over the set-piece...
- 86'
Benitez is furious about something; he is having a real go at the fourth official on the sidelines. Presumably, he is upset about the decision to send Reina off; it looked fairly straightforward from here.
- 85'
Liverpool look really down right now; they have had much more of the ball throughout, but have been uttlerly toothless going forward and have been punished for it.
- 84'
Reina's recklessless added an exciting end to a thoroughly dull match. For that, at least, he should be congratulated.
- 83'
LIVERPOOL SUB: Garcia off, Dudek on. Another substitute is substituted, this time for tactical reasons. He doesn't look very happy. Dudek comes on for his first appearance since the Champions League final in May.
- 82'
Robben then says something to Reina as he leaves the field, causing the Spanish keeper to push him in the face, an act which sparks a minor scuffle between ten other players.
- 81'
The players surround the referee, who has a chat with his linesman before sending Reina off. Straight red card.
- 80'
Lampard's pass over the top is met by Gudjohnsen. The Chelsea man tries to round Reina, but the Liverpool keeper launches himself at Gudjohnsen with an incredible sissor-tackle, leaving his opponent crumpled in a heap on the floor.
- 79'
Robben throws something of a sissy fit as a free-kick decision goes against him. The referee tells him to calm down, though stops short of offering him a lollypop.
- 78'
CHELSEA SUB: Duff is replaced by Gudjohnsen. The substitute is substituted; presumeably he has picked up an injury. I didn't see where or how, but then I'm not a doctor.
- 77'
Makelele is the perfect man for Chelsea in this position; he is just picking the ball up and knocking simple passes around in front of the back four, helping the Champions keep possession and frustrate Liverpool.
- 76'
Crespo is surrounded by three Liverpool defenders as he tries to shield the ball near the corner flag. Sensing he is on a hiding to nothing, he throws himself to the ground in an effort to win the free-kick. It doesn't work.
- 76'
Duff easily rounds Finnan down the left wing, but his low cross in to the middle is cleared by Hyypia.
- 75'
Chelsea have defended with complete committment this afternoon; Terry and Carvalho have been strong and physical and coped pretty well with the 'threat' of Crouch.
- 74'
LIVERPOOL SUB: Cisse replaces Sissoko. Another striker comes on to try and give Liverpool the bite they have so sorely lacked.
- 73'
CHELSEA SUB: Cole is replaced by Duff. Fresh legs to run at the Liverpool back-line; a good option from Mourinho.
- 71'
Chelsea, although they haven't played well, will obviously be delighted should they go on to win this game; three points would effectively seal the title.
- 70'
Chelsea are readying a substitute; it looks like Duff is preparing to come on for the home side.
- 69'
WIDE! Kewell collects a pass from Alonso before attempting to slice a low, first-time shot inside the far post. Unfortunately for the visitors, the ball trickles a yard wide.
Leaders
CHELIV 