Chelsea faced Liverpool in one of the final Premier League matches of 2013 at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
Both sides were looking to close the gap to Arsenal at the top of the table and it was Chelsea who achieved that by coming from a goal down to win 2-1.
Read how it all unfolded in West London below.
3pmAfternoon folks! One of the last Premier League games of 2013 looks to be a cracker as Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Team news just emerging from West London...
3.02pmLIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Sakho; Lucas, Allen; Henderson, Sterling, Coutinho; Suarez
3.03pmLIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Toure, Alberto, Aspas, Cissokho, Rossiter, Smith
3.04pm
Photo: #LFC’s starting XI versus Chelsea pic.twitter.com/yUHrSRebHU
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 29, 20133.06pmWe're still waiting on the Chelsea lineup but while we wait we can take a closer look at the visitors' XI. Brendan Rodgers has made just one change to his side, with Daniel Agger back in the side as captain in place of Ally Cissokho. Mamadou Sakho moves across to left-back.
3.08pmCHELSEA XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; D Luiz, Lampard; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o
3.08pmCHELSEA SUBS: Schwarzer, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Schurrle, Mata, Torres
3.09pmJose Mourinho makes four changes to his starting lineup, with Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta, Frank Lampard and Willian in for John Obi Mikel, Ashley Cole, Ramires and Juan Mata.
3.11pmLooking at the two substitutes' benches, you have to say that Chelsea's is by far the stronger. Former Red Fernando Torres is denied a start against his old club as Samuel Eto'o continues up front for the hosts. The likes of Juan Mata and Andre Schurrle can add creativity and speed if needed. Liverpool's biggest threat from the bench is perhaps Iago Aspas. Not quite comparable.
3.15pmDespite their weakness in the dugout, Liverpool's starters are a bunch certainly in form. In Luis Suarez they have perhaps the Premier League's best player this season while behind, the likes of Jordan Henderson and Coutinho have been linking up brilliantly with Suarez of late.
3.19pmREFEREE WATCH: The man in charge today is Howard Webb. He has refereed Chelsea on two occasions this season (one win, one loss) and Liverpool three times (two wins, one loss).
© Getty Images
© Getty Images3.23pmA big congratulations to Chelsea skipper John Terry, who makes his 600th appearance for the Blues today!
3.24pm
Congratulations to John Terry, who plays his 600th Chelsea game today, the fourth to reach that milestone. #CFC pic.twitter.com/pJsoIJjNF4
— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) December 29, 20133.28pmUPDATE: Two Premier League games kicked off at 1.30pm and the full-time whistles have recently gone at St James' Park and Goodison Park.
In the North-East, Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal regained top spot for New Year. Our report on that one is here.
Meanwhile, Everton kept pace with the frontrunners by edging out Southampton 2-1. Romelu Lukaku scored the winner for the Toffees. Here's our report.
In the North-East, Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal regained top spot for New Year. Our report on that one is here.
Meanwhile, Everton kept pace with the frontrunners by edging out Southampton 2-1. Romelu Lukaku scored the winner for the Toffees. Here's our report.
3.31pmIf you're a fan of a club in the Football League then you'll need to check out our live scores box to the right of this commentary to see how your team is doing.
3.35pmChelsea are slight favourites with the bookies today but a draw looks the most likely result for me. Both games last season ended equal and in big games like this they are often tight when Mourinho manages.
3.39pmIf anything, you might fancy Liverpool more today as they have just twice in the last 13 Premier League matches against Chelsea. And with Suarez, you should never count the Reds out.
3.42pmIf you scroll back down to the Liverpool subs you might wonder who Rossiter is. It is 16-year-old midfielder Jordan Rossiter.
PHOTO: 16-year-old Jordan Rossiter warms up at Stamford Bridge before #LFC's clash with Chelsea pic.twitter.com/FR9iJWCNml
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 29, 20133.44pmThat still doesn't look right to me! The kid was born in 1997! How old does that make you feel?
3.50pmPREDICTION TIME! Just 10 minutes until we get underway at Stamford Bridge. I have to say that I fancy a draw this afternoon and I can't see there being many goals. 0-0 or 1-1.
3.53pmClick here to see how the latest Premier League table looks ahead of the two 4pm kickoffs. As mentioned above, Chelsea and Liverpool are currently separated by just a point and both will know the importance of today's game. Another reason for Liverpool to avoid defeat is that a loss would see them finish the year behind Merseyside rivals Everton.
3.55pmIf you also want to follow the match across London at White Hart Lane between Tottenham and Stoke, open this link in a new tab for our updates.
3.58pmThe two teams are out of the tunnel and we're ready for the off! Chelsea in their tradition blue with white socks, Liverpool all in red.
0 minKICKOFF! And off we go at the Bridge.
4 minGOAL! CHELSEA 0-1 LIVERPOOL (SKRTEL)
4 minWhat a start for the Reds! They take the lead bang on the three-minute mark as Suarez's header from Coutinho's free kick drops kindly for Skrtel in front of goal to prod home. Easy peasy.
4 minThe free kick was awarded after a nasty scrape on Henderson from the studs of Eto'o. The Cameroonian was lucky not to be booked.
5 minOFF THE LINE! Close to an instant response from Chelsea as Hazard does a step-over to get past Agger before drilling towards the far corner. Mignolet gets down well to make the save but the ball hits goalscorer Skrtel and spins towards goal where Johnson hacks clear.
7 minThat goal from Slovakian Skrtel was the 1,000th of the Premier League in 2013.
8 minClose again from Chelsea as Cahill makes a mess of his header from Lampard's free kick by nodding wide. I can't believe how open the start of this match has been!
10 minPENALTY SHOUT! Huge roar for a penalty from the Chelsea fans as Hazard gets into the area and tumbles into Lucas. Webb not interested at all.
12 minWHAT A SAVE! The incredible start to this match continues as Mignolet pulls off a stunning one-handed save high to his left to tip Lampard's 25-yard drive over the bar. Superb athleticism from the Belgian stopper.
16 minWebb lets Agger escape a booking after blocking Hazard's run down the right.
18 minGOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 LIVERPOOL (HAZARD)
18 minTo be honest, it had been coming as Hazard beautifully curls home from the edge of the area. Little Mignolet could do about that one.
21 minSuarez streaks forward with boos ringing around the Bridge (remember he took a chunk out of Ivanovic last season). You might expect him to having the beating of Terry but the veteran defender keeps his eye on the ball before making the tackle.
23 min
Chelsea are level now, but Liverpool enjoyed their lead while it lasted after Martin Skrtel's early goal. #lfc #cfc pic.twitter.com/7PrXaNS4ta
— PA Dugout (@PA_dugout) December 29, 201325 minWillian skips inside well from the left before teeing up fellow Brazilian Luiz, who gets his shot all wrong from 22 yards.
25 minGREAT TACKLE! Superb defending from Cahill as he slides in to nick the ball off Allen after some lovely interplay between Suarez and Henderson. If Cahill had got that wrong it would have been a penalty and red card for the England defender.
28 minHere's a picture showing that there was no problem when Suarez and Ivanovic met before the game:
Branislav Ivanovic and Luis Suarez. BFFs, clearly. #CFC #LFC pic.twitter.com/f2pUkxfxFf
— ESPN.co.uk (@ESPNUK) December 29, 201331 minCHELSEA SUB: Ivanovic's afternoon is cut short though as he is forced off because of injury. Ashley Cole is on his place and that will see Azpilicueta switch over to his preferred side on the right.
34 minGOAL! CHELSEA 2-1 LIVERPOOL (ETO'O)
34 minThe Blues have turned it around as Azpilicueta makes an instant impact down the right by crossing for Oscar, who gets a bit lucky int he box before pulling it back for Eto'o. He gets a toe to it to divert it goalwards where Mignolet fluffs his lines by pushing it into the corner instead of wide.
4.37pmUPDATE: The deadlock has been broken at White Hart Lane as Roberto Soldado scores from the penalty spot for the home side against Stoke.
38 minThis may surprise you but that was just Oscar's second assist of the season.
40 min
PHOTO Chelsea fans hail @hazardeden10's 8th #BPL goal of the season, making it 1-1 against Liverpool #CHELIV pic.twitter.com/6jbcVUFD9O
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 29, 201342 minSAVE! Decent stop from Cech as he pushes away Allen's deflected shot from the right of the area. One of Liverpool's best moments since the early stages.
45 minTHREE minutes added on at the end of the first half. And what a half it's been.
45+3 minHALF-TIME: CHELSEA 2-1 LIVERPOOL
4.49pmDear oh dear, a wonderful half of football is slightly ruined as Sakho and Eto'o swap shirts when walking off. Why has that trait creeped into football recently?
4.52pmIf you're only just getting in from walking the dog or a Sunday afternoon in the pub and want a quick update on an exhilarating first 45, read our half-time report here.
4.55pmLiverpool started brilliantly at the Bridge as Skrtel poked them ahead. Chelsea weren't rattled though and are ahead thanks to goals from Hazard and Eto'o. Very little to speak of from Suarez in the opening 45.
4.59pmLooking at the stats, Chelsea have had 60% of the ball and also five shots to Liverpool's four.
5.03pmCHELSEA SUB: Mourinho is forced into his second change of the afternoon as John Obi Mikel replaces Lampard.
46 minLiverpool, who haven't made a substitution yet, get the second half underway.
47 minBOOKING! Terry is shown a yellow card after leading with arm and clattering into Allen when challenging for a high ball.
50 minBOOKING! Luiz has his name taken for blatantly tugging back Allen, who had let the ball cleverly run across his body. He'll now miss the next game against Southampton.
52 minOFF THE BAR! So close to an equaliser for the Reds as Sakho heads back across goal and against the angle of crossbar and post.
54 minGREAT SAVE! Eto'o looks offside but isn't flagged and has a clear run at goal. Instead of looking for the far corner he smashes at the near post where Mignolet stands tall to make a strong save.
56 minAs it stands, Chelsea will be closing within two points of the top of the table at the halfway stage of the season. Liverpool are set to fall six off the top after Arsenal's victory earlier today.
57 minSHOT! Best Suarez moment of the game as he volleys Henderson's dink to the edge of the box at goal but too close to Cech. Decent strike from the Uruguayan but not quite good enough.
59 minAllen kicks the ball out of play himself because he is hobbling with an injury. It looks as if 19-year-old Brad Smith will make his debut! What a stage to do so.
60 minLIVERPOOL SUB: Indeed it is the number 44 who is thrown on in the middle to handle the likes of Hazard and Oscar. Best of luck, son!
61 minLuiz slides in Eto'o down the inside-right channel. The Cameroonian is about to shoot when Skrtel makes a fine sliding tackle.
5.21pmUPDATE: Spurs go 2-0 up on Stoke thanks to a Moussa Dembele goal. Tim Sherwood's side are set to climb into the top seven.
64 minIt's all boiling over a little at the moment as Suarez wants a penalty before Sterling is hacked down on the right.
65 minReplays show that Terry definitely clattered his forearm into the neck of Suarez. Could have easily been given.
5.25pmUPDATE: A third for Spurs at the Lane as Aaron Lennon seals the points against Stoke.
69 minA huge roar from the Chelsea end as they are awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal. Luiz loves them from this range but blasts it against the wall.
71 minOscar is excellent at nicking the ball from opponents and steals it from Brazilian teammate Lucas before curling a couple of yards wide of the far post.
74 minSAVE! Former Chelsea man Glen Johnson is given plenty of space 25 yards out so lets fly with his left foot and forces Cech to tip the ball around his near post.
75 minGreat run from Hazard down the left but he drags his shot wide of the near post. A quarter of an hour left.
79 minBOOKING! Nasty lunge from Cahill on Suarez earns the Chelsea man a booking.
79 minThat gives the Reds a free kick in a dangerous position to the left of the area. Suarez curls it but Cech is there to punch out well. Suarez has had his quietest game for a while and that might be because of the strength of the opposition. Just three of his 19 league goals this season have come against sides in the top 13 of the table.
83 minPENALTY SHOUT! Suarez is left perplexed on the floor as he is clearly impeded by Eto'o in the area. Webb looked to have a clear view of the challenge but said no penalty. Azpilicueta had nicked the ball away from the Uruguayan but it doesn't mean that Eto'o can just obstruct Suarez like that.
84 minLIVERPOOL SUB: Rodgers makes an attacking change by sending on Aspas for Johnson.
86 minCHELSEA SUB: Former Red Torres is sent on by Mourinho with Eto'o hobbling because of a knock.
89 minTorres shows off his fresher legs by blitzing past Sakho before shooting straight at Mignolet. Good chance for the Spaniard. His pace was so quick that Sakho looks to have pulled his hamstring.
90 minLIVERPOOL SUB: Kolo Toure comes on in place of the Frenchman as we approach the 90-minute mark. How many minutes will be added on at the Bridge?
90+1 minFOUR minutes of additional time are indicated by the fourth official. Can Liverpool create one last chance?
90+4 minHANDBAGS! Brazilian teammates Lucas and Oscar scrap in the middle of the park after a nasty scissor tackle from the latter, who is booked.
90+6 minFULL-TIME: CHELSEA 2-1 LIVERPOOL
5.55pmIt's a big win for Chelsea as they beat bogey team Liverpool for just the fourth time in 14 Premier League games to move within two points of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
5.58pmThanks for joining Sports Mole this afternoon. That's 2013 all done in the Premier League. Stick around on site for plenty of reaction and analysis throughout the evening and night. New Year's Day is a huge day for us as 2014 kicks off in style with a bumper day of footy. Our comprehensive live Premier League coverage will be back then.
