Thomas Tuchel’s Blues came from two goals down to claim a point against Liverpool in what was a Premier League classic at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool and Chelsea players had their hands on their knees and looked exhausted after both sides shared the spoils at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta was pleased with how his teammates fought hard to come from two goals down and secure a draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
The Merseyside club fired themselves into a two-goal lead as Sadio Mane, who was lucky to get only a yellow card for an elbow on Cesar Azpilicueta in the opening 10 seconds, took advantage of Trevoh Chalobah's mistake and broke the deadlock in the 9th minute.
This was after the hosts missed a few chances to take the lead, and in the 15th minute, Mohamed Salah had a moment of magic and coolly found the net from the left as he registered his 16th Premier League goal of the 2021-22 season.
Chelsea, who were without their star striker Romelu Lukaku, fought hard and got their reward via Mateo Kovacic.
The Blues midfielder volleyed in off the post from 20 yards to make it 2-1 before Christian Pulisic smashed in N'Golo Kante's pass past Caoimhin Kelleher just before the break.
In the second half, the Reds, who were without manager Jurgen Klopp, keeper Alisson, defender Joel Matip and forward Roberto Firmino because they tested positive for Covid, had the best chances but shot-stopper Edouard Mendy made crucial saves to keep Chelsea in the game.
The match ended in a draw, leaving Chelsea in the second spot in the league table, 10 points adrift of City, while Liverpool are a point further back in third with a game in hand.
Azpilicueta: ‘We left everything out on the pitch.’
"We were 2-0 down, we fought hard to come back. We wanted more of course. We never lost the trust. We felt in the second half we could push for the third goal but we didn't score,” Chelsea skipper Azpilicueta told Sky Sports.
On Sadio Mane's early booking, the Spanish defender said: "A clear red. I don't mind if it is five seconds into the game it is a red. I don't understand, we had this kind of decision the other day. It is a clear red card. We are getting these decisions against us and it can change the way of the game.
"I watched the replay but I didn't need this because live I knew it was a red.
"We had to fight our way back. We left everything on the pitch but it was not enough.
"Both teams had their moments. When they were 2-0 up they think they have a clear chance to score a third and maybe that could kill the game but after that we played well."
When told Manchester City could be happy with this result, he replied: "They are the ones at the top. The more points we are behind the happier they will be. They have been setting the standards really high. It was up to us to close the gap, we know they are a quality team, they have been playing together for a while.
"We are on our way but until now we didn't reach that level of consistency that would keep us at the top."
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