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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
John Cross

Chelsea vs Liverpool classic shows Romelu Lukaku nothing compares to Premier League

Someone had better tell Romelu Lukaku that football is rarely this exciting in Serie A.

This was a Premier League blood and thunder classic full of goals, controversy and a thrilling Chelsea fightback.

They ended up shooting each other in the foot as a draw meant Manchester City were the big winners but sometimes you just have to marvel at the sheer excitement and entertainment.

We started the day talking about Lukaku being dropped from Chelsea’s squad for saying he is not happy and wants to return to Italy. And finished it thinking nothing compares to the drama of English football.

It was more basketball than football, thrilling end-to-end chances when, after all the talk of festive burnout, both sides just went all out attack in a game played at breakneck pace.

Is the Premier League the best competition in football? Let us know in the comments below!

Romelu Lukaku was dropped following his recent comments about Chelsea (PA)

Liverpool roared into a 2-0 lead, the pressure was ramped up on Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and yet their comeback showed incredible spirit after being sparked by Mateo Kovacic’s wonder goal.

Mo Salah will be wondering how on earth he did not end up on the winning side after his dazzling display when he was virtually unplayable in the first half.

There was controversy too as Sadio Mane was lucky not to see red after elbowing Cesar Azpilicueta after just six seconds of the contest, the yellow card was raised after 14 seconds and that lit the blue touch paper for an explosive contest.

Tuchel was screaming “unbelievable” on the touchline, VAR Darren England did not intervene on referee Anthony Taylor’s decision and it was game on.

All of the top-of-the-table clashes have been classics this season but this will surely be remembered as the best even if neither side could come up with a winner.

How Jurgen Klopp - banished from Stamford Bridge along with Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip after positive Covid tests - managed to watch without hiding behind the sofa is anyone’s guess.

Instead, it was left to Klopp’s excitable assistant Pep Lijnders to urge his team forward and the hand of fate meant it was almost inevitable that Mane scored the ninth minute opener.

Chelsea youngster Trevoh Chalobah made a hash of a clearance, got it horribly wrong, and Mane nipped in before rounding Edouard Mendy to score his first goal in ten games.

Salah made it 2-0 after 26 minutes. Trent Alexander-Arnold played the ball forward, Salah dummied Marcos Alonso to create some space and then he beat Mendy at the Chelsea keeper’s near post. What a finish. It looked like it was going to be easy for Liverpool.

But back roared Chelsea. Alonso’s near post free kick was beaten away by Liverpool’s stand-in keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, the ball dropped to Kovacic and he unleashed a sensational volley which flew in off the post.

The game between Chelsea and Liverpool was a Premier League classic (Getty Images)

It was such a great goal that it changed the mood in the stadium. Suddenly Chelsea believed and they were level in first half injury time.

Antonio Rudiger made a great interception, N’Golo Kante - who vied with Kovacic as man of the match - released Christian Pulisic.

Chelsea forward Pulisic raced through, unleashed a fierce shot past Kelleher and the stadium looked on in disbelief. Liverpool were missing big players and it showed as even Virgil van Dijk looked exposed at times.

The second half had even more chances. Kelleher and Mendy - one in particular from Salah’s long range effort - made fabulous saves, Alonso blasted a great chance over and yet neither team could find the decisive goal.

It would have been cruel for either side to have put so much into the game and finish up losing. But, having played so well, they will both curse not closing the gap on City.

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