Jose Mourinho got the tactics right, or maybe got a shade lucky, as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1. This as Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League, with a 1 nil victory at Newcastle. Let’s start at Stamford Bridge, though.
Brendan Rodgers Liverpool team lost for the second time to a title rival in just three days.
They went ahead through Martin Skrtel, early on.
But just like at Manchester City they were pegged back, Eden Hazard with a curling equalizer.
And Samuel Eto’o got what proved to be the winner before half-time.
Mourinho accused Luis Suarez of diving to get a penalty.
"So Suarez lost a duel with Azpilicueta ... Azpilicueta has the ball, Azpilicueta is leaving the box with the ball, and now he (Suarez) is doing an acrobatic swimming pool jump to try to get a penalty because he is so clever, he also knows that he is in the area where he has the Liverpool supporters behind (him). But (Howard) Webb is 10 metres away, and I think the only mistake Webb did was not to give him a yellow card." Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho said.
"The second one ... Luis will always provoke a challenge in the box from defenders - that is why he is world class. What he probably doesn’t expect is to provoke a challenge from someone who is not involved in the contact. I think if you see the incident again, he is running to challenge Azpilicueta, I think it is, who is coming out the box. Eto’o is streetwise, he is cute, he blocks him, and another day you could get that as a penalty, because it is obstruction in the area. So, but of course he (Mourinho) will defend his player - and I will defend mine." Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers said.
Arsenal came away from the north east of England with victory, as Olivier Giroud scored the only goal. The Gunners have maximum reward, six points from six over Christmas, negotiating difficult away matches at West Ham and Newcastle. Arsene Wenger’s team are top of the charts heading into the new year.
Arsenal on top with forty two points, one ahead of Manchester City. Chelsea are third after beating Liverpool. The Reds have fallen from first to fifth, in just three days. Everton went above them by beating Southampton 2-1, Romelu Lakaku scored the winner. Tottenham rise to seventh, after a three nil home win against Stoke. All twenty Premier League teams play again on New Year’s Day.