Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool: Tuchel and Lijnders react to goals & Mane yellow card

A Premier League classic, some sensational goals, a red card controversy and two title contenders a little further off the pace - it's fair to say Chelsea and Liverpool's 2-2 draw started the new year with a bang.

Not only were there magnificent individual goals from Mohamed Salah and Mateo Kovacic, there was some inspired goalkeeping from Liverpool stand-in Caoimhin Kelleher and Chelsea number one Edouard Mendy as well.

And while the return of a single point apiece did little for either side's pursuit of leaders Manchester City, both bosses said it was a spectacle to behold.

"A brilliant match of football, everybody not in the stadium missed something," Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel told Sky Sports.

"We turned it around, we were close to winning it. To coach in that game was high level - it was on the edge and could have gone either way. A good Sunday afternoon and new year."

Liverpool were forced into changes by Covid - not least the absence of manager Jurgen Klopp, leaving his assistant Pep Lijnders in charge for a match he will likely never forget.

"It's never boring with us, eh? Never," Lijnders told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We're really proud of the boys because they made a proper football match. We could have made a lot of excuses but we didn't, we attacked the game.

"There was incredible intensity from the start with both teams. Overall, for the public it must have been an unbelievable game."

Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness, in his role as a pundit for Sky Sports, agreed, saying: "What an advert for the Premier League. Two top teams, relentless and never stopped. A fabulous game of football and some fantastic goals."

While Mane's opener sprang from an error by Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah, the remaining three goals were all about attacking quality as Salah glided effortlessly past Marcos Alonso to double the Reds' lead before Kovacic's stunning first-time volley from 20 yards and a cool Pulisic strike.

"Nice goals, no? The first one [Kovacic] was absolutely brilliant but also the second was difficult," smiled Tuchel.

Lijnders admitted there was little Liverpool could do for either Chelsea strike, shrugging: "Two incredible goals. You always try to put organisation in place to stop these situations but two incredible goals."

Salah's strike, meanwhile, drew high praise from BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Karen Carney, who said: "That is absolutely ridiculous. Ruthless. The only other player I've seen do that drop of the shoulder as good as that is Lionel Messi."

While the second half bore almost as many opportunities as the first period, goalkeepers were on top with Mendy superbly denying Salah's 35-yard chip as well as foiling Mane, while Reds understudy Kelleher, who had earlier made a smart stop from Pulisic, again thwarted the USA forward with an instinctive save from a close-range header.

It was only 23-year-old Republic of Ireland stopper Kelleher's fourth Premier League start and his performance, along with that of his Chelsea counterpart, drew praise from Reds defender Virgil van Dijk.

"I am a big fan of him [Kelleher], he is a fantastic goalkeeper, he is learning from the best in my opinion in Alisson, his presence is good, he is confident on the ball. And Mendy had a fantastic game, too," the Netherlands centre-back said.

Credits: BBC SPORTS

Tinubu Appoints Chioma Awuzie Substantive Rector, Fed Poly Oko

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State. Dr. Awuzie's appointment, which takes effect immediately for a five-year term, follows the recommendation of the Polytechnic's Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, after a transparent and competitive selection process where she emerged as the leading candidate. Prior to her appointment, Awuzie, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry, was a distinguished Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Option) and also Director in-charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Projects in the Polytechnic. Under her stewardship, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, witnessed unprecedented advancements in infrastructure and institutional transformation. Her leadership facilitated monumental developments across the Polytechnic’s campuses in Oko, ...

#Watchvideo : SECURITY FORCES BURST THE CAMP OF UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN AKOKWA

Security Forces in the state through a coordinated intelligence report has bursted the camp of the unknown gunmen at Akokwa, Arondizuogu after a long gun duel which resulted to the death of some of the criminals and others arrested. These criminal elements have been known to be behind several attacks in the state such as the killing of police men in Mbaise, Aba Branch in Ehime Mbano, burning down of police stations, attack and attempted kidnapping of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, abduction of Miss. P.P. Johnson, a female soldier in Okigwe and recently the attack in Akokwa that left many dead. It is obvious that these daredevil gunmen have been perpetuating their evil plans unabated until yesterday when their camp was bursted by security agencies. This is another assurance that our security operatives are leaving no stone unturned in the fight against banditry and other related activities. While it has become obvious that the activities of these non state actors are politically motivate...

Valentine Ozigbo Resigns from Labour Party

In a shocking move, against all speculations over the last few days, Valentine Ozigbo, a close ally of Peter Obi, has announced his resignation from the Labour Party (LP). Ozigbo confirmed his decision to Diaspora Digital Media on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, but declined to provide further details, opting instead to share his reasons during an interactive session on X (Twitter) Space. The session, scheduled for 8 PM, will feature Ozigbo in conversation with Anambra's First Son, @uchepokoye, discussing pressing issues affecting Anambra State, including security challenges, societal fabric collapse, and the hope for a better future. Ozigbo's resignation has sparked interest, with many awaiting his detailed explanation for leaving the Labour Party. His decision comes at a critical time for the party, which has been navigating various challenges in recent months. Credit: Diaspora Digital Media

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