Everton 1:2 Chelsea
The Moyes team entered the game in great shape and without a loss in 14 games. Last week they won against Wigan with 2:1. However, Everton still missed Fellaini, who was still serving the last game of his 3 game ban. Chelsea also started winning under Benitez and secured 9 points out of the last 3 games. Everton had the better start in front of 39,500 at Goodison Park and Steven Pienaar scored the lead after only 2 minutes. Victor Anichebe headed against the post, but Pienaar scored the deflection. Everton was dangerous especially over the left side with Pienaar and Baines. However, Lampard once again showed his scoring abilities in the 42nd minute when he headed the equalizer after a Ramires’ cross. Chelsea started better after the half despite the fact that Cech was substituted with an ankle injury. Torres and Lampard came to early chances but failed to convert. Jelavic headed against the bar on the other side after a great Baines cross. Lampard scored his second of the night in the 72nd minute and secured the important three points for Chelsea. It was the fourth consecutive victory for Chelsea under Benitez and is now four points off Manchester City and 11 off Manchester United, but with a game in hand on both. Lampard was the man of the match. Chelsea has never lost when Lampard played this season. Everton will travel to Newcastle on January 2nd and Chelsea will face QPR at home.
QPR 0:3 Liverpool
Liverpool travelled to Loftus Road after a 3:1 loss against Stoke last week. The Redknapp team was under huge pressure after Reading beat West Ham with 1:0 and the Southampton draw against Stoke. However, Liverpool showed their qualities straight from the beginning. QPR keeper Julio Cesar had to make a great save after a 20 yard Suarez shot after just 2 minutes. Suarez was on fire and scored the Liverpool lead in the 10th minute. He extended the lead in the 16th minute with his second goal of the night. QPR couldn’t compete with Liverpool and the Merseyside was clearly the better team. Agger headed the third after a Gerrard cross and the game was almost finished after the first half. QPR were denied a penalty when Adel Taarabt’s free-kick hit the arm of Jordan Henderson, however, the game finished with 0:3 for Liverpool. It was QPR’s 12th league defeat in 20 games this season. QPR needs eight points to get out of the relegation zone. The next game will be against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on December 2nd.
