Latest: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 1

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Eden Hazard’s fantastic finish cancelled out Martin Skrtel’s opener as this Premier League heavyweight encounter delivered what it promised in the opening 20 minutes.

Blues fell behind in the third minute and it was the long-awaited first tussle between Branislav Ivanovic and Luis Suarez that inadvertantly created the goal.

A Phillipe Coutinho free-kick aimed in at the pair bounced off the Chelsea defender’s arm and into the path of Skrtel to turn home.

Blues were almost level immediately as Hazard’s shot was pushed on to Skrtel by Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, but Glen Johnson cleared the danger.

Gary Cahill headed wide and Lampard forced Mignolet into a tremendous save from distance as Jose Mourinho’s side set the pace during a frantic opening.

They could also have had a penalty as Hazard appeared to be caught by Lucas, but referee Howard Webb was unmoved.

However they were deservedly level when Willian and Oscar combined before the latter released Hazard, who curled a composed finish into the top corner.

Blues captain John Terry, charged with dealing with the in-form Suarez, is playing in his 600th Chelsea game – only Ron Harris, Peter Bonetti and team-mate Frank Lampard have previously reached that landmark.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Luiz, Lampard; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o.
Subs: Schwarzer, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Schurrle, Mata, Torres.

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