Johnson stuns Blues
Glen Johnson’s 87th-minute goal secured Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and increased the pressure on Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas. Defeat was Chelsea’s second successive home loss and came after it looked as if they had secured a...
Glen Johnson’s 87th-minute goal secured Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and increased the pressure on Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas.
Defeat was Chelsea’s second successive home loss and came after it looked as if they had secured a point when Daniel Sturridge cancelled out Maxi Rodriguez’s first half opener with an equaliser ten minutes after the restart.
But Johnson’s late strike ensured his former club suffered a third defeat in four Premier League games and moved Liverpool up to sixth, level on points with the Blues.
Chelsea’s recent dip in form has provoked questions about Villas-Boas’s long term prospects at Stamford Bridge and the sound of his side leaving the pitch to boos will do nothing to strengthen his position.
While the visitors chased and harried, Chelsea were surprisingly lethargic and repeatedly conceded possession in dangerous areas far too frequently. A 22nd minute Didier Drogba free-kick almost gave the hosts the lead.
The pace of Suarez and Craig Bellamy caused Chelsea’s defence repeated problems and it was no surprise that Liverpool’s 33rd minute opener came from a mistake.
John Obi Mikel was caught in possession by Charlie Adam as he collected a ball from keeper Petr Cech and Bellamy exchanged passes with Suarez before picking out Rodriguez who finished right footed.
Chelsea equalised soon after the break with Florent Malouda carving out the 55th minute opening with a powerful run and cross from the left that Sturridge turned home from close range at the far post.
Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles were finally introduced in the 84th minute but the decisive late act came from Johnson who collected Charlie Adam’s crossfield pass, cut into the box from the right and slotted the ball home left footed.
Today: 21.00 Tottenham vs Aston Villa.
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Man. City | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 11 | 34 |
| Man. Utd | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 29 | 12 | 29 |
| Newcastle | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 11 | 25 |
| Chelsea | 12 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 25 | 17 | 22 |
| Tottenham | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 15 | 22 |
| Liverpool | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 11 | 22 |
| Arsenal | 12 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 25 | 22 | 22 |
| Aston Villa | 11 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
| QPR | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 22 | 15 |
| West Brom | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 14 |
| Norwich | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 17 | 20 | 13 |
| Everton | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 16 | 13 |
| Swansea | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 16 | 13 |
| Stoke City | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 22 | 12 |
| Sunderland | 12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 13 | 11 |
| Fulham | 12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 15 | 11 |
| Wolves | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 11 |
| Bolton | 12 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 19 | 29 | 9 |
| Blackburn | 12 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 27 | 7 |
| Wigan | 12 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 23 | 6 |
Championship
Millwall 1 - Bristol City 2
Leicester 3 - C. Palace 0