CHELSEA were beaten by Liverpool’s team of legends late on as Ryan Babel stole the show at Stamford Bridge.
Blues fans were left disappointed by the last-minute winner, but got their money’s worth with a brilliant Eden Hazard cameo and a moment of madness from Diego Costa, rolling back the years.
Ryan Babel’s stunning strike was the difference between Chelsea and Liverpool legends[/caption]
Tempers flared between old rivals Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa[/caption]
The Spaniard clashed with Martin Kelly, giving him a stud to the leg, before charging into Martin Skrtel and sending him tumbling to the ground.
Babel’s right-footed winner at the death saw the Reds win over Roberto Di Matteo’s side, before the Dutchman paid tribute to Diogo Jota with a touching celebration in front of the Liverpool fans.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players:
CHELSEA FC LEGENDS
PETR CECH – 8
Petr Cech would give Robert Sanchez a run for his money[/caption]
We’ve seen enough. Farewell, Robert Sanchez.
Petr Cech wore his iconic headguard and was a safe pair of hands in goal, claiming crosses well and leading from the back as he always did.
Still looked as though he could play in goal for the Blues (if they played retired teams every week).
WILLIAM GALLAS – 6
Did the simple things well at right-back for Chelsea, often keeping things ticking over, while he wasn’t caused an awful lot of trouble defensively.
Combined nicely at times with Salomon Kalou going forward, but didn’t have the same energy levels as Malouda on the other side. Replaced by Celestine Babayaro after a solid first half.
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JOHN TERRY – 8
Had a bit of a shaky start, but recovered really well and still looked very fit at the back, and a commanding presence too.
It was overall a dominant display from the Blues captain, leader, legend, and one he will still be proud of.
GARY CAHILL – 8
Gary Cahill didn’t look like he had a lost a beat at the heart of the Blues’ defence[/caption]
Made a few crucial blocks when Liverpool did come forward, and his chemistry with defensive partner John Terry was as evident as it ever was.
Rock solid in the challenge, and worked hard for his team, being one of the better players at the back in terms of his passing.
Was deserving of a clean sheet, but Ryan Babel’s last-ditch winner took that from him.
FLORENT MALOUDA – 7
Showed his versatility to slot in at left-back, with a number of good defensive moves and some nice link-up with Eden Hazard on that side.
At the heart of some good moves when he threatened going forward for Chelsea, overlapping Hazard, but was missing some end product.
Came very close to opening the scoring with a cracking left-footed volley from outside the box in the second half, which rattled the woodwork.
CLAUDE MAKELELE – 7
Broke up play in midfield as well as he ever did; it’s clear to see why he’s a role model for Caicedo right now. Some good touches on the ball to boot.
Was subbed for Jody Morris at half-time after a solid first half in which he broke up play nicely and progressed the ball forward with aplomb.
RAMIRES – 5
He has definitely lost some of the pace and energy that made him a real asset to Chelsea’s midfield of old, but he still oozed class in the middle of the park.
Had an effort from outside the box that sailed over the bar, that was the highlight of his first half before being replaced by Katie Chapman.
JOHN OBI MIKEL – 8
Looked fit as a fiddle in the Chelsea midfield, controlling the game.
You can tell he has looked after himself better than most in retirement, with a good engine and great ability to do the simple things well.
SALOMON KALOU – 4
Not nearly as threatening as Eden Hazard on the opposite side of the pitch, as the Ivorian played very high up the pitch in a hybrid-striker role.
Did at times combine nicely with Diego Costa and Gallas, but was unable to provide the kind of end product that would really be dangerous for the Blues. Swapped for Joe Cole at half-time.
EDEN HAZARD – 9
Eden Hazard terrorised the Reds defence once again[/caption]
Caused trouble all day long for the Liverpool defence, showing flashes of the dangerous dribbling that frightened Liverpool back lines more than anyone else over the years.
Has certainly lost a yard (or five) of pace in retirement, but drew an expectant gasp from the Stamford Bridge crowd when he picked up the ball, as he always did, and created a number of attacks for his side.
Worth coming just to see him back in royal blue at Stamford Bridge.
DIEGO COSTA – 7
Linked up with Eden Hazard nicely at times, much as they did in their time here together years ago.
A physical presence up top who caused trouble for the LFC defence on numerous occasions, mostly for Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly, both of whom he was starting fights with in the first half, providing at least some entertainment when the game was goalless.
SUBS:
JOE COLE – 7
Was the best of the substitutes by a distance, creating chances when he came on and showing some very silky dribbling.
CELESTINE BABAYARO – 5
Made a short cameo from the bench, but didn’t have an awful lot to do, barring a tackle on Jermaine Pennant.
KATIE CHAPMAN – 5
Another short cameo, with not much to note.
JODY MORRIS – 6
Added energy to the Blues’ midfield, but didn’t get on the ball an awful lot.
Showed some great technique with a volley from outside the box, but it sailed just over the crossbar after dipping significantly.
TIAGO – 6
Combined nicely on the right-hand side with Joe Cole and at times Eden Hazard drifting inside, coming from deep to win possession back for his team.
LOIC REMY – 8
Should’ve provided a great assist for Eden Hazard, only for the Belgian to have his shot saved by Sander Westerveld.
Looked as though the Frenchman definitely still had it after coming on, causing problems for the LFC defence.
JON HARLEY – 5
Didn’t make much impact with not an awful lot to do at the back, but occasionally showed his class with a few nice touches in defence.
CARLO CUDICINI – 4
Even Petr Cech may have struggled to stop Ryan Babel’s strike from the edge of the box, so it feels harsh to blame the Italian keeper.
Would’ve got a much higher rating if he could’ve made the save, but ultimately didn’t step up when he was called upon most.
LIVERPOOL FC LEGENDS
PEPE REINA – 8
Did the simple things well and made a brilliant first-half save to stop Diego Costa giving Chelsea the lead.
FABIO AURELIO – 6
Was solid in the first half up against Kalou, but struggled more in the second when Joe Cole came on.
It was still a solid performance for the most part though, just no real flashes of excellence that were few and far between from anyone on the day.
RAGNAR KLAVAN – 7
Formed a solid partnership with Martin Skrtel, and did well to keep Diego Costa and co quiet.
MARTIN SKRTEL – 8
Skrtel cut an unrecognisable figure with a head of hair[/caption]
Cut an unrecognisable figure, rocking a lovely haircut at the back for the Reds as opposed to his textbook bald look.
Was pretty solid at the back, though, as ever for Liverpool, with some good passes and leadership from deep.
GREGORY VIGNAL – 7
Looked a composed figure at the back for Liverpool, on and off the ball.
Was often the figure LFC looked to as a link between the defence and midfield.
MARTIN KELLY – 7
Was an attacking threat for Liverpool in a wingback role, combining nicely with Yossi Benayoun to be a creative force going forward.
Did well not to start a fully blown scrap with Diego Costa at half-time, and then nearly scored an absolute rocket in the early stages of the second 45, but it sailed wide of Petr Cech’s goal.
IGOR BISCAN – 6
For a man approaching 50, Igor Biscan was solid in front of the Liverpool defence.
Didn’t make any huge mistakes and did well considering Chelsea’s midfield was particularly mobile in the second half.
YOSSI BENAYOUN – 8
The former Chelsea midfielder was representing the Reds today, and was a menace to the Blues’ defence early on.
He ducked and dived through challenges, but was only able to fire a shot straight at Cech in the first half before being replaced at half-time.
Came back on in the second half, but was pretty quiet upon his re-introduction, until a great delivery set up Ryan Babel’s winner from the right-hand side!
JAY SPEARING – 6
We were expecting big things from Jay Spearing, given he is still an Under-21s coach at Liverpool, and even PLAYED for them just three years ago against Rochdale in the EFL trophy.
He looked to control the midfield for LFC, but struggled in the middle of the park to create with John Obi Mikel looking after him.
FLORENT SINAMA-PONGOLLE – 4
Had a tough day up front against John Terry and Gary Cahill, failing to create much for his side.
RYAN BABEL – 9
Babel paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota with his goal[/caption]
The match winner!
Ryan Babel was quiet for the most part, but stepped up when it mattered most, cutting inside and rattling an Mbappe-esque shot into the near post past Carlo Cudicini.
Just when it looked as though Gary Cahill had his number, he shocked everyone on the break and continued to be impressive after scoring.
A heartwarming moment as he paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota with his celebration in front of the travelling supporters.
SUBS:
SANDER WESTERVELD – 8
Made a great save to stop Eden Hazard from opening the scoring in the second half, following up a fantastic Pepe Reina showing.
JASON MCATEER – 5
Didn’t make much impact after coming on for the Reds.
TASH DOWIE – 5
Didn’t make much impact after coming on for the Reds.
JERMAINE PENNANT – 7
Tried to win a penalty with a cheeky dive from Celestine Babayaro and occasionally caused problems down the right-hand side after coming on.
Definitely grew into the second half and got more and more dangerous as the game went on with some incisive running and a lot of effort.
