Mane shines as Liverpool humble Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

September 20, 2020 6:53 pm

Liverpool, the defending champions of the English Premier League (EPL), on Sunday evening defeated Chelsea 2-0 at the Stamford Bridge, thanks to two goals from Saido Mane.

Chelsea, free-spending in the transfer market this summer, succumbed to a second half blitz from the champions following a red card in the last minute of the first period.

Liverpool’s win sees them equal their longest winning streak against Chelsea in the EPL — which is four matches previously set in May 2012.

It is also the Reds’ seventh win in 13 league games at Stamford Bridge, while Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager, has won four out of six at the stadium since he took over at Anfield.

A dull first half only produced a game-changing talking point in the last minute after Andreas Christiansen, Chelsea’s lanky Danish defender, was given a red card for stopping Mane from breaking free on goal as the last defender.

Peter Tierney, the referee, initially gave a yellow card before the video assistant referee (VAR) system upgraded it to a red card.

Liverpool took full advantage of the situation five minutes after the restart with the irresistible Mane getting a goal he deserved. The Senegalese produced a neck-twisting header to finish off Mohammed Salah’s cross into the far corner for 1-0.

Sane, who had not scored in his previous five visits to Chelsea, was afforded an easier finish to double the lead four minutes later following a howler from Kepa Arizabalaga, Chelsea goalkeeper.

Under no pressure, the Spaniard’s pass to Kurt Zouma was short and intercepted by Mane who controlled the ball and stroked it into the net.

Chelsea had a rare opportunity to pull a goal back when VAR awarded the Londoners a penalty for impedance of Timo Werner by Thiago Alcantara, a second half substitute.

Jorginho, however, failed to score with his usual technique with Alison Becker diving left to comfortably save his tame effort.

Liverpool controlled the rest of the match with Salah, Thiago, Virgil van Dijk and Georgino Wijnaldum all going close as they maintained their perfect start to the season.

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