Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
Liverpool again left it late against Chelsea, but a Michael Owen goal won all three points for Liverpool with 19 seconds remaining of the 90 minutes, sending Chelsea back home with nothing to show for another good performance at Anfield.
After losing their unbeaten record at home to West Ham last week and another early European exit in midweek, Chelsea were determined to put on a good display for their fans, and their performance was much improved as they matched Liverpool for large parts of the game with a very well organised display.
Willan Gallas and Frank Lampard both had chances to put the visitors ahead in the opening 20 minutes, with Gallas firing a shot just over the bar from 25 yards out after a corner had been cleared, and minutes later, Lampard had a free header in the area which he put wide of the goal.
Liverpool's first chance came from Stephen Gerrard, who did well to create space for a shot just out of the area but scuffed his shot wide with the outside of his foot.
A long range effort by Hasselbaink followed shortly after at the other end, but despite hitting the shot well enough, it wasn't even close to troubling Dudek.
But Hyypia did manage to test Carlo Cudicini with a fierce drive from over 40 yards out, but the Italian 'keeper got both hands to the shot and pushed the ball over the bar.
Stephane Henchoz was once again reaplced in the fist half, with Djimi Traore replacing him at centre back. It was later announced that Henchoz could miss up to 5 weeks, with the Swiss defender requiring an operation.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was one of two substitutions made by Claudio Ranieri at half time, with Eidur Gudjohnsen coming on to partner Zola up front.
The second half followed a very similar pattern to the first, with both sides having plenty of the ball but without too many real chances being created. One shot which was on target though came from Steven Gerrard midway through the half.
Dietmar Hamann's free kick was blocked by the defensive wall, but landed at the feet of Gerrard, who struck a brilliant volley which was heading for the top corner of the goal before Cudicini got fingertips to the ball to tip it onto the bar, and the keeper who won the man of the match award for an outstanding performance when Loverpool played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season was again having a good game against the Reds.
With not a whole lot happening in front of goal though, Milan Baros replaced Cheyrou and was instantly involved in the game, setting Owen away on the right side and getting into the box for Owen's cross which was cut out by Cudicini.
Baros was even closer to scoring later in the half when after a good run on the right to get himself in the box, he fired a shot over the bar from close range with just the 'keeper to beat. Liverpool were starting to look more lively in the Chelsea half though, with the introduction of Baros making a huge difference.
When the goal did arrive though, Baros was not involved and it was the Owen/Heskey partnership that helped produce the goal in the last minute.
Diao was dispossesed in midfield by Petit, but his sliding challenge sent the ball heading towards his own penalty area and after being picked up by Heskey, whose shot forced Cudicini into making a save and tipping tha ball onto the post, Michael Owen was quick to pounce on the rebound, which he smashed home from a couple of yards out.
After losing points in two previous home games which Liverpool had deserved to win, noone at the club will complain about winning a game in which Liverpool perhaps only deserved a draw and, as in the same fixture last season, Liverpool took all three points when it seemed certain that they would end the game with just a point.
Among today's other games, Arsenal were comfortable winners over Sunderland, which keeps them 2 points ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Premiership. Liverpool next play Leeds United at Elland Road which is in two weeks time due to International matches next weekend.
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