Every once in a while a Premier League Super Sunday lives up to the hype and delivers us a highly-concentrated dose of drama, intrigue and narrative.
Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool was one of those occasions.
The Blues fight back to claim a point this afternoon. ? #CheLiv pic.twitter.com/eETKK3V4yI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 2, 2022
A point apiece at Stamford Bridge. #CHELIV pic.twitter.com/Zs1JdNg0I7
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 2, 2022
Points shared in a classic Premier League encounter! ?
What a weekend for Manchester City and their fans… pic.twitter.com/hoXs253Ot1
— 90min (@90min_Football) January 2, 2022
Att1...
Before the game even kicked off there was plenty of drama. First, it was confirmed that Romelu Lukaku – who created a furore with a controversial interview earlier this week – had been left out of the matchday squad by Thomas Tuchel.
“It got too noisy – that’s why he’s out.”
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Super Sunday match with Liverpool, Thomas Tuchel explained why he has left Romelu Lukaku out of the match day squad. ❌ pic.twitter.com/MwpDcsn2wT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 2, 2022
Crying they know Lukaku is playing against us pic.twitter.com/Cx1MvtIiOM
— Zak ⭐️⭐️ (@ZG1999_) January 2, 2022
Important to try and predict not just the first pre-match question to Thomas Tuchel, but its *exact* delivery:
“Thomas – Happy New Year – ?? Romelu Lukaku today…”
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) January 2, 2022
Aubameyang, Grealish, Foden and Lukaku all dropped for disciplinary/non-football reasons within the last few weeks.
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) January 2, 2022
Interviewer: “Can we fetch you a glass of water or anything before we start the interview, Romelu?”
Lukaku: “Yes, but honestly it’ll never match the water I used to get at Inter. They have the best water there, and I’ll be back one day to drink some more of it.” pic.twitter.com/rjYAEMpVXf
— Fast (@F4STF4TI) December 31, 2021
Easy to lump in on #RomeluLukaku, but remember, there are always two sides to every falling out at a football club. One thing’s for sure, though, is that regardless of the true circumstances the fans, understandably, will almost always back the club, not the player.
— Gary Lineker ? (@GaryLineker) January 2, 2022
Tuchel when he sees Lukaku watching from the stands pic.twitter.com/NHtHng0R16
— mohamed ? (@Mohamed_therad) January 2, 2022
There was also selection issues in the Liverpool camp with news breaking that Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip would miss the game after returning suspected positive Covid-19 tests.
No Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino or Joël Matip for Liverpool today after they all returned positive Covid-19 tests. ? pic.twitter.com/iqrJpTFR7V
— 90min (@90min_Football) January 2, 2022
The first chance of the match fell to Christian Pulisic following a botched clearance from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It was a golden opportunity but the American was denied by some quick thinking by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Chalobah clowning. Pulisic huge miss. When will it end Robbie
— Chris. (@EmenaIo) January 2, 2022
Big miss by Pulisic. Really big miss.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) January 2, 2022
Pulisic miss? Miss someone ?? pic.twitter.com/8rfaepOSIk
— Kanye East?(Ofe Nkupu) The Misunderstood Genius (@AustinAnadu__) January 2, 2022
All the Pulisic fan boys was on Mounts case for his miss last week.. i acc prefer the sarri lot over them.
— CHELSEA FAN TV (@ChelseaFanTVyt) January 2, 2022
“That miss was gnarly dude”
Pulisic after the game ?? pic.twitter.com/lBHuV4tFUL
— Aaron ⛄ (@mfc_aaron) January 2, 2022
Pulisic was made to feel 100 times worse about fluffing his lines when Sadio Mane – when presented with a similarly inviting chance after a Trevoh Chalobah blunder – made no mistake.
There were some who pointed out that the forward was lucky to be on the pitch, after he fouled Cesar Azpilicueta inside the opening 30 seconds.
That is how you do it, great goal from Mané.
— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) January 2, 2022
Having watched that replay multiple times, how in the world did Sadio Mané not get a red?
Nasty elbow on Azpilicueta; hard to understand why the red didn’t go to the monitor to give it a second look.
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) January 2, 2022
Mane is such a shameless person; does the same elbow thing every single match.
— Raf ?? (@rfprods1) January 2, 2022
Mane elbows Azpilicueta within the first 30 seconds.
Red card everyday of the week.
VAR – Blind pic.twitter.com/eMQdzeZ0Ia
— Lea (@Lea_EFC) January 2, 2022
1’: Gets booked for an elbow
9’: Scores the openerSadio Mané against Chelsea? pic.twitter.com/CdyQWnwIfm
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 2, 2022
GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MANE 1-0
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) January 2, 2022
GOAL! Mane could do what Pulisic could not, he takes past Mendy and finishes on his left foot. Great goal
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) January 2, 2022
GOAL!!! MANE!!!
A huge mistake at the back from Chalobah, which Mane capitalises on to score.
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool [9’]
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) January 2, 2022
Liverpool were then sent into dreamland when Mohamed Salah timed his run perfectly and then finished emphatically at the front post.
The best in the world…?
Mohamed Salah does it again as #LFC extend their lead against Chelsea! ? pic.twitter.com/mbuKlRoxpj
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 2, 2022
Mo Salah that is absurd. What a goal.
Superb pass, and the est is just sheer world class.#LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) January 2, 2022
Most Premier League goals scored in London for Liverpool:
? Mohamed Salah (14)
? Steven Gerrard (13)Mo begins 2022 by breaking another record. ? pic.twitter.com/iZe0U2bQlT
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 2, 2022
Watching that Salah goal. pic.twitter.com/ClV1BafVhu
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) January 2, 2022
Death, taxes and an important Salah goal… pic.twitter.com/WE0rGdJwbo
— The Set Pieces (@thesetpieces) January 2, 2022
Messi-levels ease for Salah there. Looks like he just decides to do a goal.
— Joe Devine (@JM_Devine) January 2, 2022
Chelsea regained some hope before the break through Mateo Kovacic, who netted a goal of the season contender.
If you haven’t seen it yet, stop what you’re doing and watch it right now.
The start of Chelsea’s fightback…?
Kovacic got their first goal of the match with an absolute stunner! ? pic.twitter.com/EvhnFEnTHF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 2, 2022
HT: Chelsea 2 #LFC 2: Crazy opening 45mins at Stamford Bridge. So open, so many errors from both teams. Mane and Salah putting Liverpool 2-0 up but no real sense of control. Hosts transforming the mood with two in the space of 3mins from Kovacic and Pulisic. Game on.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) January 2, 2022
If Kovacic is scoring screamers you know something is up, I’m shook ?
— Mod (@CFCMod_) January 2, 2022
Gary Neville when Kovacic equalised pic.twitter.com/3QyTkfiT9f
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) January 2, 2022
That Kovacic goal is such a great goal. He’s walking backwards as he hits it, spectacular technique.
— John Sebastián Vernón (@chimp_chirpy) January 2, 2022
That’s goal of the season. Give him the award now! #Kovacic
— Colin (@cgonthefly) January 2, 2022
The first-half drama was not over yet either with Christian Pulisic making up for his terrible, early miss by lifting a finish over Kelleher.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC MAKES IT 2-2 VS. LIVERPOOL ? pic.twitter.com/cNxx2TRRYz
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 2, 2022
THE KID FROM HERSHEY, CHRISTIAN PULISIC ????????????
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) January 2, 2022
pulisic screamed ‘AND 1’ after that goal ?
— MK (@jimmykitchenz) January 2, 2022
PULLIISICCCCC OH MY GOD WE ARE WINNING THE LEAGUE AHAHAHA ROMELU GET ON THE FLIGHT TO MILAN YOU BASTARD YOU WYLIN DAWGGG PULISIC IS THE REAL AMERICAN
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) January 2, 2022
Lukaku in the Chelsea stands when Pulisic scored the equaliser pic.twitter.com/rtgppUZOJ1
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) January 2, 2022
After an entirely breathless first 45 minutes, it would have been greedy to expect much from the second half.
However, there were a few signs that the drama would continue with Salah and Mane both having good efforts saved before the hour mark.
After this though, things settled down with the hosts dominating the ball but failing to cut the Reds open. And so, that was how it ended: Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool.
Outstanding again. ? pic.twitter.com/fe0uAQS9Xb
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 2, 2022
Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante have been outstanding for Chelsea tonight. Huge performances from both. #CFC
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) January 2, 2022
Wowzer. What a fantastic first half. @ChelseaFC and @LFC going toe to toe. Premier League football at its exhilarating best. ????
— Gary Lineker ? (@GaryLineker) January 2, 2022
Chelsea (1.68) 2-2 (1.66) Liverpool
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) January 2, 2022
Liverpool have now dropped points from five league games this season where they have led. Second is the best they can do from here in my view.
— Simon Hughes (@Simon_Hughes__) January 2, 2022
The Premier League title race ?
Manchester City: 53 points
Chelsea: 43 points
Liverpool: 42 points pic.twitter.com/ig2KXeJ20m— GOAL (@goal) January 2, 2022
Gary Neville watching Chelsea v Liverpool. https://t.co/rxX82VCJvf
— LLCOOLG. (@Greglurt) January 2, 2022
“Yeah, that wasn’t a bad comeback by Chelsea against Liverpool but did you watch Inter Milan’s comeback against Atalanta in 2011? That was beautiful.” pic.twitter.com/JaOdLlHTIz
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) January 2, 2022
A result neither side wanted and a result that all but ends the Premier League title race barring a quite remarkable collapse from Manchester City, who are now ten points clear.
Oh well, it was fun while it lasted we suppose.
