A goal by Chelsea in each half sealed Liverpool’s fate at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as they cruised to a 2-0 victory in the English Premiership.
After a cagey opening to the match, the Blues took the lead in the 35th minute when Frank Lampard’s corner on the right side was headed on by John Terry and found William Gallas unmarked as he turned the ball past Reds goalkeeper Jose Reina into the heart of the goal.
On the stroke of half-time, Hernan Crespo had a goal ruled off-side when he tumbled the ball over the line from close range after a mistake by Reina. But the Italian striker gained his just rewards in the 67th minute as Asier del Horno’s chip over the top of Stephen Warnock was met by Crespo’s left-footed shot, which flew past Reina into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Almost 60 seconds later, Crespo had another goal disallowed after he had lobbed the ball over Reina. Liverpool’s misery was compounded in the 81st minute when Reina received his marching orders after firstly flattening Eidur Gudjohnsen and then lashing out at Arjen Robben before facing the wrath of referee Alan Wiley. With Reina sent off, Jersey Dudek took up the post for the remainder of the match.