Chelsea lose despite second-half fightback

Chelsea 1 Liverpool 2

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The fit-again N’Golo Kante scored during a second-half fightback by Chelsea but Liverpool held on to take the points.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firminho netted for the visitors during a first half in which Chelsea had a goal disallowed and lost Emerson Palmieri and Andreas Christensen to injury.

The Blues battled on and Kante, back after an ankle problem, gave them hope with a brilliant goal 19 minutes from time.

Kante collected Cesar Azpilcueta’s pass, turned away from Fabinho and darted towards the penalty area before sending an unstoppable shot past keeper Adrian.

But Chelsea were unable to find an equaliser against a Liverpool side whose victory left them five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Merseysiders’ opener came via a cleverly worked free-kick routine after 14 minutes.

Former Chelsea man Mohamed Salah flicked the ball back to Alexander-Arnold, who rifled a right-footed shot beyond keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from near the edge of the box.

Just after Adrian denied Tammy Abraham after the striker was put in on goal by Christensen’s through-ball, Chelsea thought they had equalised when Azpilicueta netted from close range.

Mason Mount found Willian, whose pull-back from the left ricocheted off Fabinho and Azpilicueta was on hand to apply the finish.

However, the celebrations of Chelsea’s fans were halted by VAR establishing that Mount was offside in the build-up.

Worse followed for Frank Lampard’s side when Firminho headed in Andy Robertson’s left-wing free-kick.

Kante and Mount were both passed fit to start for Chelsea after their respective injuries, as was Emerson.

But Emerson went off shortly after the first goal and Lampard – still without a home win as Chelsea boss – had to make another change three minutes before half-time when Christensen was helped from the pitch.

Emerson was replaced by Marcos Alonso, who created late chances with crosses for Michy Batshuayi and Mount as Chelsea tried in vain to salvage a point.

Batshuayi, on as a substitute, headed wide, and an off-balance Mount was also unable to find the target.