Chelsea – Liverpool

1. Hello, welcome to Stamford Bridge for this first-versus-third Premiership clash. My name is Alex, and my job is to let you know what's going on down on the pitch. Rest assured, readers, I'll do my best.

2. The players are in the tunnel. Gerrard and Terry head the two lines. Both men have faces carved out of granite.

3. Chelsea kick off this Premiership clash under bright skies in West London.

4. 1'

   The pitch doesn't look in great condition; it seems a little muddy and bobbly. Not that Chelsea will mind; they rarely keep it on the grass anyway.

5. 2'

   The home side start with a nice, crisp spell of possession in their own half. They line up in their normal 4-3-3 formation; Liverpool 4-5-1, with Crouch up-front on his own.

6. 3'

   Liverpool have barely had a touch in the opening three minutes. It's been all Chelsea, though they've mainly had the ball around the centre-circle.

7. 4'

   Robben is flagged off-side as he tried to get on the end of Cole's cross-field pass. A tight decision; he was probably just on-side.

8. 5'

   This is the ninth time that these two teams have played each other since Mourinho and Benitez took over in the summer of 2005. They know each other's game inside out.

9. 6'

   Robbie Fowler hasn't even travelled down to London with the rest of the Liverpool squad for this game; Benitez has opted to leave him at home as he tries to get himself match-fit.

10. 7'

    Essien is accidentally brought down by Kewell in the centre-circle. This is Essien's first game back from the injury that ruled him out of Ghana's African Nations campaign.

11. 8'

    Robben just catches Carragher on the back of the ankle after the Liverpool defender had cleared. The players exchange a quick handshake, and play goes on. Very civilised.

12. 9'

    Carvalho is forced to slide the ball out for a corner after Liverpool had countered through Crouch and Gerrard. Good defending from the Portuguese.

13. 9'

    Cole releases Robben down the right, but again the linesman stops the Dutchman in his tracks. That was sloppy from Robben; he really should have timed his run better.

14. 10'

    Riise is brought down by Gallas as he cuts in from the left wing. The visitors take the free-kick quickly, but Chelsea are organised at the back and head clear.

15. 11'

    Liverpool play their way out of trouble with a nice triangle of passes inside their own half, though Warnock then undoes their good work by kicking out of play for no apparent reason.

16. 12'

    Crouch is penalised for a foul on Cech as the two jumped for a Gerrard cross. The Liverpool man is harshly done-by from the replays.

17. 14'

    It has been a very cagey start from both sides; the midfield is very congested and neither side can really find too much space at the moment.

18. 15'

    A loose backpass from Terry goes behind for a corner as Cech can't make it across to keep the ball in play.

19. 16'

    As the corner is swung in to the middle, Carvalho and Kewell are involved in something of a tussle. The referee calls both players over for a word.

20. 17'

    A combination of good defending and loose passing is ensuring that nothing of interest is happening out on the pitch.

21. 18'

    Liverpool have a couple of attempts on goal, through headers from Hyypia and Crouch. Neither trouble Cech, but it is a sign, at least, that the players are warming to the task.

22. 19'

    Del Horno takes a knock on the head after a challenge with Gerrard. He waves off the attentions of the physio and trots back in to position, looking a little bemused.

23. 20'

    I don't know what it is with these two teams, but whenever they come up against each other, the game tends to be a shocker. Today is no different.

24. 21'

    Liverpool win a free-kick, 35 yards out, when Essien is adjudged to have fouled Alonso. The two engage in a little discussion - in what language, I'm not sure - before the referee intervenes.

25. 22'

    OVER! Gerrard fires the free-kick to the back post where Hyypia plants a header back across goal. Crouch rises above Terry, but his header flies over the bar.

26. 23'

    Cech requires some treatment from the Chelsea physio after taking an arm in the face from Crouch. He seems to have a cut just above his eye.

27. 24'

    Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is spotted in the Stamford Bridge crowd, seated next to owner Roman Abramovic. The little Italian looks very smug about something; it's not clear what.

28. 25'

    Play finally re-starts after Cech's treatment.

29. 26'

    A loose pass from Lampard in midfield hands possession back to Liverpool. I suppose both sides will be relatively pleased with a draw from this match; with that in mind, it's not surprising that the first half-hour has been so poor.

30. 27'

    Chelsea, to my memory, haven't had an attempt on goal so far this afternoon. Alonso and Sissoko are doing a good job of keeping Lampard under control.

31. 28'

    The Stamford Bridge fans can't seem to get enough of the turgid nonsense being played out before them on the pitch; they are in very good voice. Odd bunch. £60 to watch 90 minutes of this?

32. 29'

    SHOT! I'm sorry; that might have been a bit mis-leading; Alonso's effort from 25 yards was a shot in name only. It bobbled hopelessly wide of Cech's far post.

33. 31'

    Kewell's cross from the left is hopelessly over-hit, though it fortuitously ends at the feet of Gerrard on the opposite flank. He wins his side a corner as he plays the ball off the legs of Del Horno.

34. 32'

    Gerrard swings the corner over to the back post, but Crouch is penalised for climbing all over Carvalho in an effort to win the header.

35. 33'

    Chelsea win their first corner of the match as Cole's attempted cross from the right is put behind.

36. 34'

    GOAL! Gallas scrambles the ball home from two yards out after Terry had won a header on the penalty spot.

37. 35'

    Although they hadn't created any good chances, Liverpool had certainly been the better team; Gallas' goal will come as a real blow.

38. 36'

    JUST WIDE! Cole robs Warnock inside the Liverpool box, but his drive flies just the wrong side of the near post. Mourinho is furious on the touchline; he thought Cole should have passed to Crespo in the middle.

39. 37'

    Chelsea win a second corner, this time off Finnan. Lampard's corner evades everyone and lands at the feet of Cole, on the corner of the penalty area. He opts to try a difficult first-time volley, but slices his effort just over the bar.

40. 38'

    Again, Robben is needlessly caught off-side as he tried to run on to Crespo's pass inside the full-back.

41. 39'

    The action has livened up significantly in the last few minutes. Chelsea are finally beginning to find their passing range and threaten the Liverpool back four.

42. 40'

    The ball takes a horrible bobble as Terry attempts a lofted pass up-field towards Robben; the giant defender looks menancingly at the pitch as he slices out of play.

43. 41'

    Alonso places a free-kick in to the middle, aimed, inevitably, towards Crouch, but Crespo makes a good defensive header.

44. 42'

    GREAT BLOCK! Finnan's first-time shot from 20 yards looks to be sneaking inside the near post before Terry blocks on the edge of the six yard box.

45. 43'

    Reina is quick out of his goal to smother the ball at the feet of Cole as the Chelsea forward tried to swivel and get a shot away from close range.

46. 44'

    Robben is brought down on the right touchline by a bemused-looking Sissoko. A chance for Lampard to put the visitors under pressure.

47. 45'

    OFF-SIDE! Crespo has a goal correctly ruled out for off-side as he pokes home from close range after Reina had spilled Terry's header from the Lampard free-kick.

48. 46'

    HALF-TIME: A poor 45 minutes, though Chelsea won't mind. They lead 1-0 at the break and it's going to be tough for Liverpool to break the home team down.

49. 45'

    Liverpool are out on the pitch a full minute before Chelsea. I hope they didn't get cold.

50. 45'

    Liverpool kick off the second half. No changes at the break.

51. 46'

    Liverpool have got plenty of attacking options on the bench, with Cisse, Garcia and Morientes all named as substitutes this afternoon.

52. 47'

    Essien looks disgusted when the referee books him for jumping with his arm raised in a challenge with Riise.

53. 48'

    Kewell does well to skip around the challenges of Del Horno and Terry, although when he reaches the touchline, he inexplicably hammers the ball out of play. Very strange.

54. 49'

    CHANCE! Gerrard fires a superb low pass across the face of goal, though it's just too far in front of Crouch. Kewell collects at the back post and lays a pass back to Sissoko, but he slams a shot high over the crossbar.

55. 50'

    Terry puts in a great challenge on Kewell on the left edge of the Chelsea penalty area as the Liverpool winger attempted to cross.

56. 51'

    GERRARD! The Liverpool skipper smashes a low shot goalwards, but Cech is down very quickly to palm the ball clear. Much more positive from Liverpool.

57. 52'

    Liverpool need to take advantage of this spell of attacking possession; they have got Chelsea under a bit of pressure at the moment.

58. 53'

    A sloppy pass from Alonso gives Crespo the chance to run at the Liverpool defence, but he fails to spot the run of Cole inside him and the visitors recover.

59. 54'

    SO CLOSE! Robben skips past Carragher down the left and cuts in on goal. He opts to shoot from a very tight angle, but his effort skids wide of the far post. Had he rolled the ball across, Crespo would have had an easy tap in.

60. 55'

    Gerrard is limping a little at the moment; that's clearly not good news for Liverpool, as he's been their best player by some distance.

61. 56'

    Good pressing from Chelsea means Liverpool have to play the ball all the way back to Reina from the halfway line. The home side are playing at a higher tempo in this second half.

62. 57'

    No sign of Gerrard being brought off; he seems to have run off whatever little twinge he felt a few minutes ago.

63. 58'

    Essien is unfortunate to be penalised for a tackle on Sissoko; he vents his frustration at the referee, who politely reminds him that he is already on a yellow card.

64. 59'

    Liverpool make a real meal of clearing a Gallas cross to the back post. The ball eventually falls to Robben, but his shot is wide of the near post.

65. 60'

    LIVERPOOL SUB: Garcia replaces Riise. An attacking change from Benitez as he searches for an equaliser.

66. 61'

    Chelsea break at pace and in numbers. Robben is released down the left; his chip to the back post is heading for Crespo, but Carragher dives in to put the ball out for a corner.

67. 62'

    Garcia slides in a little late on Gallas on the right touchline, and is booked. Not a good tackle from the substitute, but at least he is putting himself about a bit.

68. 63'

    SAVE! Cole's volley from 20 yards is spectacularly caught by a diving Reina. One for the cameras, that one.

69. 64'

    Robben runs down a blind alley and discovers four Liverpool defenders waiting for him at the bottom. They mug him of the ball, and leave him sprawled on the Stamford Bridge turf.

70. 65'

    Gallas comes in for some more rough treatment, this time from Kewell, who sticks a forearm in his face as they tussle on the touchline.

71. 66'

    Liverpool have been completely lacking in invention and guile going forward this afternoon; the extent of their creativity seems to be limited to which side of the pitch to hoof the ball up to Crouch from.

72. 67'

    GOAL! Crespo's marvellous recent form continues as he brilliantly keeps himself on-side before slamming a low, left-foot volley past Reina from a tight angle.

73. 68'

    OFF-SIDE! The linesman incorrectly rules a second Crespo goal out for off-side. Replays show that the Argentine striker had beaten the trap before he brilliantly lifted a shot over the head of Reina

74. 69'

    WIDE! Kewell collects a pass from Alonso before attempting to slice a low, first-time shot inside the far post. Unfortunately for the visitors, the ball trickles a yard wide.

75. 70'

    Chelsea are readying a substitute; it looks like Duff is preparing to come on for the home side.

76. 71'

    Chelsea, although they haven't played well, will obviously be delighted should they go on to win this game; three points would effectively seal the title.

77. 73'

    CHELSEA SUB: Cole is replaced by Duff. Fresh legs to run at the Liverpool back-line; a good option from Mourinho.

78. 74'

    LIVERPOOL SUB: Cisse replaces Sissoko. Another striker comes on to try and give Liverpool the bite they have so sorely lacked.

79. 75'

    Chelsea have defended with complete committment this afternoon; Terry and Carvalho have been strong and physical and coped pretty well with the 'threat' of Crouch.

80. 76'

    Duff easily rounds Finnan down the left wing, but his low cross in to the middle is cleared by Hyypia.

81. 76'

    Crespo is surrounded by three Liverpool defenders as he tries to shield the ball near the corner flag. Sensing he is on a hiding to nothing, he throws himself to the ground in an effort to win the free-kick. It doesn't work.

82. 77'

    Makelele is the perfect man for Chelsea in this position; he is just picking the ball up and knocking simple passes around in front of the back four, helping the Champions keep possession and frustrate Liverpool.

83. 78'

    CHELSEA SUB: Duff is replaced by Gudjohnsen. The substitute is substituted; presumeably he has picked up an injury. I didn't see where or how, but then I'm not a doctor.

84. 79'

    Robben throws something of a sissy fit as a free-kick decision goes against him. The referee tells him to calm down, though stops short of offering him a lollypop.

85. 80'

    Lampard's pass over the top is met by Gudjohnsen. The Chelsea man tries to round Reina, but the Liverpool keeper launches himself at Gudjohnsen with an incredible sissor-tackle, leaving his opponent crumpled in a heap on the floor.

86. 81'

    The players surround the referee, who has a chat with his linesman before sending Reina off. Straight red card.

87. 82'

    Robben then says something to Reina as he leaves the field, causing the Spanish keeper to push him in the face, an act which sparks a minor scuffle between ten other players.

88. 83'

    LIVERPOOL SUB: Garcia off, Dudek on. Another substitute is substituted, this time for tactical reasons. He doesn't look very happy. Dudek comes on for his first appearance since the Champions League final in May.

89. 84'

    Reina's recklessless added an exciting end to a thoroughly dull match. For that, at least, he should be congratulated.

90. 85'

    Liverpool look really down right now; they have had much more of the ball throughout, but have been uttlerly toothless going forward and have been punished for it.

91. 86'

    Benitez is furious about something; he is having a real go at the fourth official on the sidelines. Presumably, he is upset about the decision to send Reina off; it looked fairly straightforward from here.

92. 87'

    Chelsea win a late free-kick, on the right-edge of the penalty area. Lampard stands over the set-piece...

93. 88'

    SHOT! The England midfielder drives a swerving shot goalwards, but Dudek stands firm to punch clear. Good effort from Lampard.

94. 89'

    DREADFUL! A Chelsea corner is half-cleared to Essien, but the Ghanaian midfielder's first-time shot is sliced high over the crossbar.

95. 90'

    Chelsea are finishing strongly; Liverpool look so downbeat. They will struggle to come to terms with losing this game, I'm sure.

96. 91'

    TACKLE! Gerrard makes the tackle of the match as he slides in on Robben as the winger was about to score Chelsea's third from close range.

97. 92'

    FULL-TIME: Chelsea triumph in a drab encounter, enlivened only by Reina's brainless, red-card challenge on Gudjohsen.

98. 92'

    The Chelsea players celebrate as though they'd just won the title. Oh, wait...

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