EPL: Daniel Sturridge late stunner cancels Eden Hazard’s opener as Chelsea, Liverppol settle for 1-1 draw

Substitute Daniel Sturridge stole the show as Chelsea and Liverpool played-out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday.

Eden Hazard had opened the scoring to put Chelsea ahead in the first half, but Liverpool substitute Sturridge, only a few minutes into the pitch, unleashed an unstoppable curling effort into the top corner of the Chelsea goal one minute away from the final whistle to snatch a vital point for his side.

Both sides had started well looking for a win but it was Hazard, a mile different class than the other 21 bodies on the pitch, who broke the deadlock in the 25^th minute. The Belgian forward had just days ago broke many Liverpool hearts with a stunning winner in the EFL Cup. And once again on Saturday, it was him, who came back to haunt the Liverpool defence with a low left-footed drive well past goalkeeper Alisson Becker and into the bottom corner.

Also Read: EPL: Manchester United slide further down after 1-3 defeat to West Ham

He should have added a second early in the second half when he was wonderfully set up by Kante, but the 27-year-old failed to find the net, instead shooting straight at Becker.

A goal behind, Liverpool pressed high in search for a goal but were wasteful in the attacking third, while Roberto Firmino was denied by a goalline clearance by David Luiz.

Mohamed Salah too had few opportunities to score against his former club but the Egyptian continued with his struggle failing to draw out the kind of form that fetched him the Golden Boot last season. The only time he came close to scoring one, Antonio Rudiger was at hand to clear before the ball could roll towards goal.

In what was a brilliant move, the 26-year-old darted past right-back Marcos Alonso and rounded-off Chelsea custodian Kepa Arrizabalaga to go through on goal. But his tame effort was cleared by Rudiger to thwart away the danger.

Also Read: Madrid derby: Real, Atletico play out goalless draw

He was eventually substituted after another disappointing outing for new recruit Xherdan Shaqiri, who minutes after coming on had a great opportunity to equalise after Andy Robertson set him clear on goal.

The Egyptian was then surprisingly withdrawn, but his replacement should’ve equalised after being played in by Andy Robertson.

Chances flowed in numbers for the Reds, but they failed to breach the stubborn Chelsea defence before Sturridge came on in the 86^th minute. The striker made an instant impact becoming only the seventh player to score 50 goals for Liverpool. The 29-year-old received the ball 25 yards away from the Chelsea goal and flicked it over Kepa to earn a vital away point for his side.

Image Credit: Eurosport