Premier League
Mourinho crisis deepens as Coutinho-inspired Liverpool win at Chelsea
Jose Mourinho’s future as Chelsea manager hangs by a thread after a Philippe Coutinho-inspired Liverpool came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1.
Chelsea exploded out of the blocks with a goal inside four minutes, with Ramires heading in from Cesar Azpilicueta's deflected cross. Liverpool dominated possession for long periods of the second half and scored a deserved equaliser deep into first-time stoppage time when Coutinho found the net with a brilliant strike.
Cutting onto his left foot on the edge of the box, the Brazilian curled a wonderful shot into the top corner to leave Jose Mourinho’s half-time team talk in tatters.
Chelsea rarely threatened in the second half and Liverpool, who should have had Lucas Leiva sent off for two yellow cards, turned the tables on Chelsea with the crucial third goal, created by Christian Benteke’s nod down and finished by Coutinho for his second.
Benteke, a second half substitute, capped his fine cameo with the third goal – finishing low into the bottom corner after Adam Lallana’s clever dummy wrong footed the Chelsea defence. The defeat leaves Chelsea languishing just above the relegation zone and plunges Chelsea and Jose Mourinho even deeper into crisis.
KEY MOMENTS
4’ - GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool: It's a dream start for Chelsea! Azpilicueta's cross from the left skims off the top Lallana's head and Ramires meets the cross and nods in from close range!
7’ - CLOSE! Hearts in mouths for Liverpool again as Willian clips a free-kick to the back post, Terry heads across the face of the Chelsea goal and Zouma almost turns it at the far post – but the flag goes up against Zouma.
45’+2- GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool:Coutinho scores on the stroke of half time with an absolute beauty! The Brazilian cuts inside Ramires on the edge of the box and curls a brilliant shot inside the top corner.
61 - Big talking point: Old foes Diego Costa and Martin Skrtel come together and it appears the Chelsea striker jabbed out a foot at his Liverpool counterpart. It looks as though Costa caught the Slovakian in the midriff and, while he gets no sanction, he could be retrospectively punished. Lucky not to be sent off, there.
68’ - LUCKY ESCAPE! Lucas gets away with one here. He's already on a yellow card, clearly trips Ramires, and that has to be a second yellow. Mourinho is going crazy on the touchline, laughing maniacally and sarcastically applauding Mark Clattenburg.
72’ - CLOSE! Oscar tries to chip Mignolet from 45 yards out! The ball was sailing over Mignolet's head, but the Belgian gets back and bats the ball away to his left. Spectacular effort by the Brazil international.
74’ - GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool: Coutinho has done it! Sakho's long ball is nodded down by Benteke to Coutinho, who shifts the ball onto his right foot and finds the back of the net with a shot that deflects off Terry and into the net.
83’ - GOAL! Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool: Benteke scores and it's game, set and match Liverpool! Lallana's clever dummy allows the ball to run through to Benteke, who finds the bottom corner! Game over for Mourinho?
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY & STATS
KEY STATS
Jose Mourinho has lost six Premier League matches this season (11 played) – he’s never lost more in a Premier League campaign at Chelsea.
Philippe Coutinho has scored a brace in the Premier League for the first time.
This is the first Premier League game since Middlesbrough 8-1 Man City in May 2008 to see a Brazilian scorer on both sides.
TALKING POINT
Should Mourinho go? It’s hard to see him lasting the week now. His side have lost six of 11 Premier League games and are struggling in their Champions League group. They were outplayed for long periods by Liverpool and he is now the captain of a sinking ship. A lame duck. Mourinho’s reputation takes a pounding every time they step out, and Mourinho is living on borrowed time.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool): Scored two goals, including a brilliant first that got Liverpool level. His overall contribution was yet again outstanding and Klopp will be keen to build his team around him.
PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Begovic 5, Zouma 4, Cahill 4, Terry 3, Azpilicueta 4, Mikel 6, Ramires 6, Willian 7, Oscar 6, Hazard 3; Diego Costa 4. Subs: Kenedy 5, Fabregas 5, Falcao n/a.
Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Clyne 6, Skrtel 8, Sakho 7, Moreno 7, Lucas 6, Can 7, Milner 7, Lallana 8, Coutinho 9, Firmino 7. Subs: Benteke 8, Ibe n/a, Lovren n/a
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