Just two changes for Jose Mourinho’s blues as Thibaut Courtois reclaimed his number one spot in goal after recovering from a finger injury. While Oscar, who had scored a terrific brace against Swansea on Saturday, was replaced by John Obi Mikel as Mourinho looked for a more defensive option in midfield.
As expected of a first leg of a cup-tie the opening ten minutes proved cagey from both sides, with Liverpool looking to press Chelsea early on with the support of the home fans strongly behind them at a snowy Anfield. It was Liverpool who fashioned the first half chance as Jordan Henderson found space in the Chelsea box but found his cutback was cleared by Gary Cahill. It was Cahill once again with another piece of good defending by getting a vital touch to Coutinho’s through ball which would have put Sterling one on one with Courtois. Yet Courtois was to be tested on 15 minutes from a long-range swerving effort by Steven Gerrard, which he could only palm over the bar for a corner.
However, it was Chelsea who took the lead as Martin Atkinson awarded a penalty after Can’s clumsy challenge on Eden Hazard. The magician soon dusted himself down and stepped up to send his Belgian counterpart the wrong way, placing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the net for his 11th goal of the season. The penalty came after Cesc Fabregas had gone beyond Can with ease, who in turn fouled Hazard in order to redeem himself.
After the goal it was Liverpool who had to take the initiative with Chelsea instantly sitting deeper, looking to absorb the pressure and hit Liverpool on the break. Approaching the half-hour mark Skrtel found himself free in the box but his header drifted harmlessly wide. The half ended with a series of bookings for each side; Gerrard, Lucas and Filipe Luis all guilty of fouls. But there was still time for another penalty shout, this time against Chelsea, as the ball appeared to strike Costa’s hand whilst the Spaniard was on the ground, only to be rightly dismissed by Atkinson.
The second half began with an early chance for Chelsea as Diego Costa nearly raced through after Fabregas showed great awareness to allow the ball to run through, only for Mignolet to clear. However, it was Liverpool who began the brightest and Raheem Sterling was nearly through at the Kop end before being thwarted by a combination of Cahill and Terry. Liverpool were not to be deterred and Sterling equalised for the home side just before the hour mark. The young England forward found space in between the Chelsea guard of Nemanja Matic and Mikel before finishing the chance well with his weaker left foot.
The goal provoked an instant response from Chelsea as Matic put Diego Costa through on goal before being adjudged offside. Moments later it was Hazard who was nearly through until he was stopped by a last-ditch challenge from Skrtel. Although it was Liverpool who dominated the rest of the second-half and on 66 minutes Gerrard found himself unlucky as his well-placed left footed shot beat Courtois but struck the outside of the post. Seconds later Courtois produced a good save to stop Coutinho’s low drive after some more sloppy play in the middle of the park by Chelsea.
Courtois was soon called into action yet again and produced a fine double-save to initially stop Jordan Henderson and then Sterling. Courtois also received a stroke of luck after appearing to handle the ball outside the area as his momentum took him over the edge of his penalty box in his attempt to stop Sterling getting his second of the night. Courtois was also busy moments later producing yet another magnificent save from Lallana’s left foot shot after some good play from Sterling, a thorn in Chelsea’s side all evening, refreshed from his recent winter break in Jamaica.
Despite further pressure late on, the game ended 1-1, leaving the tie finely balanced for the second leg. Chelsea and Liverpool will meet at Stamford Bridge on the 27th January to decide who will face either Tottenham or Sheffield United in the final of the Capital One Cup.
