Jones Shines as Liverpool Edge Chelsea to Reclaim Top Spot

Liverpool snagged a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield, marking their seventh straight victory in all competitions and reclaiming the top spot in the Premier League!

October 20, 2024
6:00 pm

Arne Slot’s Liverpool snagged the top spot in the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield, stretching their winning streak to seven matches across all competitions. Liverpool’s grit and smart play, along with standout performances from Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah, proved too much for Chelsea, who faced their first Premier League away loss of the season.

The match kicked off at a bit of a slow pace, with neither team creating clear chances in the first 20 minutes. Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo picked up an early yellow card for a foul on Diogo Jota, but the Anfield crowd was pretty quiet. That changed quickly when Noni Madueke almost set up Chelsea’s opener, threading a ball to Cole Palmer, who got crowded out by Liverpool’s defense. Liverpool charged back down the field, with Salah asking for a penalty after a challenge by Levi Colwill, but the ref waved it off due to minimal contact.

A few moments later, Curtis Jones won a penalty for Liverpool after being fouled by Colwill in the box. Salah stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty home, putting the home side ahead. Liverpool nearly doubled their lead soon after, but Cody Gakpo’s goal was ruled offside. As halftime approached, another penalty shout for Liverpool was turned down by VAR after Robert Sánchez’s challenge on Jones was deemed legal.

The second half kicked off with Chelsea leveling the score just four minutes in, as Nicolas Jackson broke through Liverpool’s defense and slotted it past Caoimhin Kelleher after a VAR review overturned the initial offside call. Chelsea’s celebration didn’t last long, though, as Liverpool responded almost immediately. Salah, once again in the spotlight, delivered a beautiful inswinging ball into the box, which Curtis Jones expertly finished to put Liverpool back in the lead just three minutes after the equalizer.

With Anfield buzzing, Liverpool’s defense, the best in the league this season, shut down Chelsea’s attacking efforts. The introduction of Alexis Mac Allister and Joe Gomez by Arne Slot helped Liverpool control the game as the pace slowed in the final stages. Despite Chelsea making all five of their substitutions, they couldn’t find the breakthrough they needed.

This result marked Chelsea’s third defeat in their last 18 matchups with Liverpool, leaving Enzo Maresca’s side in sixth place, seven points behind the Premier League leaders. Liverpool now holds a slim one-point lead over second-placed Manchester City as the Reds continue their title chase under Slot’s guidance.