Liverpool 1 - 2 Chelsea: Hazard goal takes Chelsea through at Liverpool’s expense

Posted Thursday, September 27, 2018 by PA

Eden Hazard scored a superb winner as Chelsea came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The Reds’ seven-match winning start to the season was halted after substitute Hazard fired past Simon Mignolet in the 85th minute at the end of a wonderful run.

Hazard’s goal came six minutes minutes after he helped create Emerson Palmieri’s equaliser, which cancelled out Daniel Sturridge’s 58th-minute opener.

That''s it… WHAT. A. WIN! 🙌

Next round, here we come! #LIVCHE pic.twitter.com/fyPCXHxekv

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 26, 2018

The first of two meetings between the clubs this week, with a Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge to come on Saturday, saw Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Blues counterpart Maurizio Sarri both make eight changes to their starting line-ups.

The visitors made a lively start, during which Alvaro Morata was twice thwarted by Mignolet, before Liverpool began to find some rhythm.

Cries for a penalty rang out from the stands just after the half-hour mark when Naby Keita hit the turf under pressure from Gary Cahill – but referee Kevin Friend allowed play to continue.

It appeared any contact between the pair had been minimal, and Cahill made it clear he was unhappy with the way in which Keita had gone down.

🎯 💥 pic.twitter.com/slp7iIjbMe

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 26, 2018

There were more unsuccessful penalty appeals from Liverpool supporters moments later as Cesc Fabregas was deemed not guilty of handball.

Keita then unleashed a fierce strike that brought a fine save out of Willy Caballero, who subsequently saved a Sadio Mane header.

Liverpool looked set to grab the lead less than a minute into the second half when Sturridge latched on to a poor attempt at a backpass by Andreas Christensen, tried to get around Caballero and was presented with an open goal, but he could only shoot wide.

Morata then sent a header over before Chelsea survived another lapse at the back, with Ross Barkley heading towards his own goal and Mane’s effort going wide off Caballero.

WHAT. A. GOAL. @hazardeden10 has put @ChelseaFC in front against @LFC, 2-1! 💥 pic.twitter.com/0FhXZQVPrr

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) September 26, 2018

Chelsea were punished for more defensive sloppiness soon after as they lost possession, the ball came to Keita and after his shot was parried by Caballero, Sturridge followed up with an acrobatic finish.

The away side levelled when Hazard, introduced two minutes before Sturridge’s goal, delivered a free-kick into the Liverpool box, Barkley’s header was palmed away by Mignolet and Emerson prodded in.

The incident went to a VAR review for offside before the final decision was made that the goal should stand.

Sturridge then curled a shot against the crossbar, before Hazard’s piece of magic sent Sarri’s men through – as he beat a host of home players on a mesmerising run before slamming the ball beyond Mignolet.