Liverpool 2-1

Independent:
Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1
Determined Chelsea start to show mark of Jose Mourinho
Sam Wallace

This is starting to look like his Chelsea again. Dominant in midfield; straining every sinew to match their opposition from front to back – capable of squeezing out the kind of performances that do not so much elicit joy as a grudging respect. And there they are as the season reaches its halfway point, sitting solidly in third place and just two points off the leaders Arsenal.
In the final seconds, Oscar scythed down his fellow Brazilian Lucas Leiva, a connection which precipitated a brief tussle. That was a challenge you could not have imagined Oscar involving himself in until Mourinho took over his career. It is a spirit that is permeating the whole side and, whether you like it or not, it has proven effective.
That is not to say that Chelsea were not fortunate. The stand-out moment of the second half was the foul by Samuel Eto’o on Luis Suarez with seven minutes of the game remaining as the Liverpool striker pursued Cesar Azpilicueta out the area. “Streetwise” was how Brendan Rodgers described it and it was curious that Howard Webb, who saw the incident, waved play on when Eto’o stepped across the path of Suarez and fouled him.
It should have been a penalty, despite Mourinho’s denials which, even he seemed to realise, given the haste with which he later changed the subject, were tenuous at best. Rodgers also picked out the foul in the second minute by Eto’o, studs up on the knee of Jordan Henderson that seemed to pass Webb by. The away team scored from the free-kick that followed but had the foul come later in the game, with cards already shown, it might even have been a sending-off.
Simon Mignolet is beaten by Eden Hazard’s equaliser Simon Mignolet is beaten by Eden Hazard’s equaliser  The friendship between Mourinho and Rodgers precludes the kind of tension that once existed between the Chelsea manager and Liverpool during his first period in charge. Yet there was a hint of how far Mourinho is prepared to go when he raised, in relation to Suarez and simulation, “the cultural nature of the player”, “People from that area,” he said, “they like it [diving]”.
It was dangerous territory and he corrected himself quickly, saying that it was the same in his “corner in Europe”. Rodgers was able to laugh it off. The Liverpool manager conceded that two consecutive games against Manchester City and then Chelsea had left his team short of the energy required to break down such a high calibre of opponent, and they did look tired by the end.
Having taken the lead through Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho hit the bar with a header seven minutes after half-time with Chelsea leading through goals from Eden Hazard and Eto’o. That was as close as they came in the second half. Suarez spent most of the game isolated from Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho and was never able to produce a moment to turn the game.
It will take something special to end Mourinho’s unbeaten home record in the league that now stands at 70. In terms of their nearest rivals, they have beaten City and Liverpool at home and secured points away at Arsenal and Manchester United with Everton the only team in the top six to have beaten them.
They came back from the early blow when Liverpool crafted a goal from the free-kick that Eto’o conceded. Mourinho was dismissive of the circumstances in which Liverpool scored, when in challenging Suarez, Branislav Ivanovic took all the pace off the ball and allowed Sktrel to finish from close range.
Later Ivanovic would find himself caught by Daniel Agger and unable to carry on past 30 minutes of the match. Rodgers’ team tried to open up their opponents with the quick ball out to the wings but too often they just found themselves marginalised in midfield and unable to retain possession.
Mourinho selected David Luiz alongside Frank Lampard who went off injured at half-time. Mourinho had previously said that he could not imagine playing the Brazilian in a position in which he became familiar last season under Rafa Benitez. But he left himself a get-out in exceptional circumstances and, in the absence of the suspended Ramires, this was one of those times. Luiz and Lampard dominated Liverpool’s midfield and, with Hazard the game’s outstanding player they immediately looked dangerous.
There was a shaky start from Willian who found himself well-beaten by Sterling early on and then all at sea for a while. But he came into the game and played a part in Chelsea’s equaliser on 17 minutes. Before then, Simon Mignolet saved brilliantly at full-stretch from a Lampard shot. There was not much he could do about Hazard’s equaliser, struck across him from the left after the ball had gone from Willian to Oscar and ricocheted off Sakho out to the Belgian winger.
There was more Mignolet could have done about the second goal, which dribbled past him. Before then, Liverpool had their chances to clear, first from Azpilicueta and then Oscar before the cross came in and Eto’o nipped in ahead of Skrtel to put a weak, eminently saveable shot into the goal.
Before half-time, Joe Allen forced a good save from Petr Cech but after that they found chances more difficult to come by. At half-time Sakho sought out Eto’o to change shirts and Coutinho did the same with Oscar. Informed of it later, Rodgers said that he would be having words.
There was one further penalty appeal from Suarez in addition to the foul by Eto’o, when Terry jumped on top of him in the act of hooking the ball away. Even Rodgers was not convinced of that one. On another day, his side might have had better fortune, but every opponent that comes to Stamford Bridge will have to fight for every yard that is yielded by the home team this season.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech 7; Ivanovic 6 (Cole 5, 30), Cahill 7, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 6; Luiz 7, Lampard 6 (Mikel, ht); Willian 5, Oscar 7, Hazard 8; Eto'o (Torres, 86) 6.
Substitutes not used: Schwarzer (gk), Essien, Mata, Schurrle.

Liverpool (4-1-4-1): Mignolet 5; Johnson 5 (Aspas, 83), Skrtel 6, Agger 6, Sakho (Toure, 90) 6; Lucas 6; Sterling 6, Allen 5 (Smith, 61), Henderson 6, Coutinho 6; Suarez 5.
Substitutes not used: Jones (gk), Alberto, Cissokho, Rossiter.

Referee: H Webb
Man of the match: Hazard
Rating: 6/10

=============

Guardian:
Relentless Chelsea keep up pressure on the top with win over Liverpool
Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1
Dominic Fifield

José Mourinho had turned to the East stand as this contest lurched towards its conclusion and, arms aloft, beseeched the home support to whip up one last roar to haul the team over the line. Within seconds his gesture was repeated in celebration. Liverpool, one of the more eye-catching contenders in this season's title race, had been beaten to inject proper conviction into Chelsea's own challenge. The Portuguese's reaction betrayed the significance of the result.
The first chink of light has been spotted between the top three and the chasing pack, a three-point gap chiselled out between Mourinho's team and fourth-placed Everton to suggest a massed scramble towards the summit is thinning out. Liverpool, a point behind their Merseyside neighbours, will hope to come again and can draw real encouragement from their displays even in defeat at the Etihad and Stamford Bridge but those at the top will likewise hope they are shrugging themselves clear. "A big win, a big opponent, a big match," said Mourinho. It was the kind of contest to get the juices flowing.
In the end, perhaps inevitably, it was also laced with controversy. Brendan Rodgers had reason to denounce Samuel Eto'o's first-minute foul on Jordan Henderson, the striker raking his studs down his opponent's right shin and escaping a card of any sort from Howard Webb. Though Liverpool scored from the free-kick that followed, they would have been taking on 10 men for 89 minutes had the offence been properly penalised. Their other gripe centred, inevitably, on Luis Suárez as Eto'o appeared to shoulder barge him off the ball and inside the penalty area seven minutes from time. Rodgers and Mourinho, once apprentice and mentor in these surroundings, could only agree to disagree, though in the circumstances it was perhaps inevitable that Eto'o's contribution would ultimately be remembered for the winner.
Chelsea had their own non-award to bemoan, Lucas Leiva appearing to floor the live-wire Eden Hazard 11 minutes in, yet the revival of the old Mourinho versus Merseyside rivalry should not boil down to perceived oversights by the overworked referee. This was combustible, breathless and blisteringly competitive and therefore enthralling to behold.
While Liverpool seemed stretched by cruel successive away fixtures, Chelsea arguably mustered some of their finest attacking football of the campaign through that ferocious opening period. Their forays forward were slick and conducted at pace, Oscar and Willian rapid in pouring upfield while Hazard, the team's player of the moment, orchestrated it all.
The Belgian, watched here by his brother Thorgan in the stands, has been untouchable in recent weeks. He has learned from the error of his ways after missing a training session following a brief trip back to Lille to watch his former club – it did not help that he had mislaid his passport in France – and has been resurgent since. He started the move which created Chelsea's equaliser, shifting the ball from central midfield to Willian before Oscar took up possession and bolted into enemy territory. Liverpool defenders backed off, uncertain and panicked, with the Brazilian's intended pass for Eto'o rebounding from Mamadou Sakho and back across the edge of the area.
Hazard, his run unchecked, dispatched it first time, all whip and bend, with Simon Mignolet helpless and beaten. "The kid is changing," said Mourinho of the £32m signing he inherited. "Before he was a very talented player but was a bit … not lazy, but a kid enjoying football just in a funny way. Now he understands responsibilities and that football is not just about getting the ball and playing like he did when he was 13 or 14 in the street. There are other ingredients needed at this level."
That was his 10th goal in all competitions this season, a tally that has eased some of the pressure on Chelsea's blunt strikers, though this would eventually be decided by one of their number. David Luiz and César Azpilicueta combined for Oscar to gather, his initial touch appearing to strike Sakho's arm. The crowd's appeals for handball went ignored, the playmaker regathering and turning the centre-half to square for Eto'o, granted too much space by Martin Skrtel, to convert. Mignolet should have done better.
The festive period has been unforgiving for Liverpool. They sat top of the pile on Christmas Day, rightly satisfied by their campaign and with Suárez signed up to a new contract, and yet, after the first successive league defeats of Rodgers' tenure, now languish fifth and outside the Champions League places.
That is sobering enough, even without Sakho (hamstring) and Joe Allen (groin) now injured and surely absent for the foreseeable future. And yet, as Rodgers pointed out, there was still promise to be picked up from each of their defeats over the past week, whether in the bite to the attacks summoned by Suárez, Coutinho and Henderson or the excellence – that second goal aside – of Mignolet in denying Chelsea further reward.
They had led early, Coutinho delivering viciously towards the near post, where Suárez and Branislav Ivanovic – those familiar foes from Anfield in April – tumbled as they wrestled to connect and the ball struck the Serb and wrong-footed Petr Cech in the process. Skrtel, alone in front of a gaping goal, could not believe his luck. Yet that is where their good fortune ran out. Sakho looped a header on to the bar from Henderson's delivery before that late penalty appeal signalled the end. This was not to be their day. It is Chelsea who go tearing into the new year.
Man of the match Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

http://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2013/dec/29/premier-league-chelsea-liverpool-pictures-gallery

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Telegraph:
Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1
Henry Winter

Once again, Chelsea and Liverpool took a walk on the wild side. Once again, the rivalry spilt over. Samuel Eto’o, Oscar and Lucas could easily have been dismissed. But once again, there was some breathtaking football, much of it flowing from the marvellous Eden Hazard, vibrant in possession, diligent in tracking back and deservedly man of a thrilling match.
Once the cordite cleared, and the injured Frank Lampard, Branislav Ivanovic, Mamadou Sakho and Joe Allen were being tended backstage, it was obvious that Chelsea have to be respected as title contenders under the inspirational Jose Mourinho.
Responding to Martin Skrtel’s early goal, Chelsea played some of their best football of the season, a mix of the combative and the creative. John Terry, making his 600th appearance for the club, David Luiz and Willian pushed Hazard hard for the sponsors’ honours.
There was an intensity to Chelsea’s football, a steel in central midfield and at the back, and a fluidity moving forward. Hunger too. Liverpool stir their blood.
Once the smoke blew from the fray it was also very apparent that Liverpool’s squad requires strengthening. Brendan Rodgers had said that “we’ve built the house and now we have to decorate the inside” but there is still plenty of work to be done on the foundations first. The defence needs bolstering. Further forward, Rodgers simply did not have sufficient options to change the game from the bench with Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge injured and Victor Moses unable to play against his parent club.
Rodgers even gave a debut to an Australian-born teenager with a Scouse accent called Brad Smith, a quick, muscular academy product who took up a position on the left but had little chance to show his potential. Mourinho was able to bring on Fernando Torres.
As well as accepting the need for reinforcements in the January window, Liverpool left the Bridge angered by the raking by Eto’o on Jordan Henderson in the second minute. Eto’o brutal?
Liverpool also lamented the reality of Luis Suárez’s 'previous’ working against him. Frustrated by some rough treatment by Chelsea players, Suárez looked briefly to Howard Webb for succour but then lifted his gaze to the heavens.
Chelsea supporters will simply dismiss Suárez’s complaints as a case of the biter bit but the Uruguayan, who sunk his teeth into Ivanovic the last time the sides met, had legitimate grievance. He felt he was brought down by Terry, clattered by Gary Cahill and then patently obstructed by Eto’o.
He had no joy from either Webb or Chelsea’s defence. Rodgers inevitably defended his No 7, but also could take some pride that his team pushed Chelsea so close, just as they had alarmed Manchester City before losing on Boxing Day.
The painful fact for Liverpool remains that they were top at Christmas but have tumbled out of the top four going into the new year.
This continues to be the season of twists and turns in the Premier League title race, with no team able to pull away from the pack. Arsenal’s resilience at in-form Newcastle United guaranteed them the No 1 position heading into 2014. City’s narrow victory over Crystal Palace showed they can win ugly at home as well as beautifully. Manchester United continue to rise, now only two points behind fifth-placed Liverpool. Everton, now fourth, continue to develop under Roberto Martinez.
News of the on-loan Romelu Lukaku scoring Everton’s winner must have featured in the thoughts of the Chelsea fans as they strolled into the Bridge on a chilly afternoon. By the break, the chattering-teeth classes were admiring the finishing of Hazard and Eto’o.
These games are never friendly for all the pre-match bonhomie between Mourinho and Rodgers, one of his former coaches here.
Reminder of the history between these sides was soon heard with Liverpool fans singing the name of Luis Garcia, scorer of what Mourinho called the “ghost goal” in the 2005 Champions League semi-final at Anfield. It was seen in the way that Suárez smiled as he shook hands with Ivanovic before kick-off.
The pair soon ran into each other again. After that filthy Eto’o foul on Henderson, Philippe Coutinho curled in the free-kick towards Suárez, whose header hit Ivanovic. Skrtel was quickest to the loose ball, turning it into the Chelsea net to launch a dramatic game after only four minutes.
Chelsea’s players rallied, matching their manager’s energetic movement around and occasionally beyond the technical area. Claiming control of midfield, Chelsea built towards their equaliser. Cahill headed a Lampard free-kick wide. Lampard unleashed one of his long-range specials, demanding a fine save from Simon Mignolet.
Liverpool’s keeper was beaten after 17 minutes. Chelsea drove through the middle, Oscar running at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, the ball rebounding off Sakho to Hazard, who curled his shot first-time past Mignolet. Stung, Liverpool charged back and only a well-timed interception by Cahill halted Allen’s passage towards goal.
Chelsea were defending resolutely and counter-attacking crisply, bringing the lead after 34 minutes. The ball was swept by Luiz to Cesar Azpilicueta down the right. His cross was controlled by Oscar, who turned and drove the ball on. Eto’o slid in, beating the sluggish Skrtel. Mignolet should have saved but his wrists were not strong enough, and he failed to stop the ball’s journey into the net.
Liverpool chased an equaliser and Cech did well to push Allen’s shot away before the break.
As the players headed for the tunnel, Sakho and Eto’o swapped shirts. So did Coutinho and Oscar. No such kinship was detected in the second half. Allen took a battering from Terry and he eventually limped off, the injection into his sore adductor wearing off.
The game continued to hurtle between the boxes. Henderson lofted in a ball that Sakho headed on to a post. Eto’o, a yard offside, ran on to Hazard’s pass and brought a good save from Mignolet. Cech held a Suárez volley and a Glen Johnson piledriver.
Suárez deserved a penalty when obstructed by Eto’o. Liverpool fans were chanting support for their No 7 and also taunting their former striker Fernando Torres with “are you happy on the bench?” Torres promptly came on, almost scoring after a weaving run in from the right.
Oscar then flew in on Lucas, who responded by pushing over his fellow Brazilian. Once again, this fixture was fractious to the end. Wonderful entertainment too.

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Times:

Luis Suárez reduced to hard labour in Eden Hazard county

Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1

José Mourinho continues to talk up Manchester City as champions elect, but no one in the Barclays Premier League will rest easy with Chelsea two points off the top at the halfway stage. While the Special One’s second coming remains a work in progress, Mourinho has established sound foundations at fortress Stamford Bridge.
For all the growing pains and repeated references to a squad in transition, Mourinho has his players where he wants them, as was demonstrated by an impressive victory secured by Chelsea’s most complete performance of the season. Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o finished off two excellent passing moves with élan to score wonderful goals, but of greater significance was the tenacity and resilience of their team-mates, who defended so well as a collective unit that Luis Suárez was strangely subdued.
Much of the talk afterwards centred on the return of Suárez’s supposed wild side, but other than his late tangle with Eto’o that should have yielded a penalty for Liverpool, the most notable aspect of the Uruguayan’s afternoon was his anonymity. John Terry and Gary Cahill encapsulated Chelsea’s spirit by doing a magnificent tag-team job on Suárez, who has failed to score in the past two matches, which by his standards is a drought of Biblical proportions. Terry was magnificent on his 600th appearance for Chelsea, and Roy Hodgson must wish that he could call upon him to tackle Suárez in Brazil next summer.
Liverpool looked lively enough in other areas, particularly when Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho were given licence to attack on the flanks, but they lacked a cutting edge and successive defeats over a testing Christmas period may have given Brendan Rodgers a reality check. For all the excited talk of a tilt at the title, beating local rivals Everton and Manchester United to the fourth Champions League place may be a more realistic ambition.
Chelsea’s greatest strength remains the self-belief and commitment first instilled by Mourinho a decade ago, which ensured that they did not flinch after falling behind in the third minute, but they are also blessed with a number of wonderfully gifted individuals capable of winning any game in an instant. Hazard was the most prominent of Chelsea’s revolving cast of Three Amigos yesterday, but Willian and Oscar also impressed, the Brazilians playing a role in both goals.
The most notable aspect of Mourinho’s second spell with Chelsea has been his insistence that even the club’s star artists must graft like artisans. Hazard, in particular, has transformed the languid and rather fitful playing style that characterised his first season in England, as Mourinho acknowledged.
“He’s changing,” Mourinho said. “He was a very talented player, but a kid just enjoying football in a funny way. Now he understands responsibilities and that football is not just about getting the ball and playing like he did when he was 13 or 14 in the street.”
Not even Mourinho has been able to correct Chelsea’s occasionally haphazard defending, however, and they remain vulnerable to set-pieces, which Liverpool exploited to take an early lead. Rodgers was justified in complaining about Eto’o not being booked for a studs-up challenge on Lucas Leiva, but Chelsea were punished from the subsequent free kick, with Suárez first to Coutinho’s delivery and volleying it on to Martin Skrtel, who side-footed the ball past Petr Cech.
If Chelsea seemed shell-shocked, their response was impressive, Mourinho’s clear instructions to play with pace and intensity being followed to the letter. Hazard should have won a penalty in the eleventh minute when he was fouled by Lucas, while Simon Mignolet was also busy in goal, making smart saves from the Belgian and Frank Lampard.
Migonolet could have done better with both of Chelsea’s goals, however, which changed the course of the game midway through the first half. Hazard began and finished the first in the seventeenth minute, initiating the move with an elegant turn in his own half before passing to Willian, who quickly handed possession on to Oscar. After an incisive run through the middle, Oscar attempted to return the favour to his compatriot, but his pass was blocked by Mamadou Sakho and the ball fell to Hazard, who hit it first time to beat Mignolet with a magnificent strike from 25 yards.
Chelsea’s second goal in the 34th minute was just as eye-catching, their quick passing and movement being reminiscent of Arsenal at their best. Willian’s ball released César Azpilicueta and he crossed from the right towards Oscar. The Brazilian’s footwork was too quick for Daniel Agger and Sakho and he slipped the ball between the French defender’s legs, Eto’o nipping ahead of Mignolet to slide the ball in.
Liverpool were equally resilient after falling behind, although they faded after Sakho headed on to the bar from Jordan Henderson’s creative chip in the 52nd minute. Chelsea should have put the game to bed a minute later, but Eto’o shot straight at Mignolet after being released one-on-one by Hazard and the Cameroon striker was also involved in the game’s big flashpoint with seven minutes remaining.
Azpilicueta had overpowered Suárez legitimately in the penalty area, but Eto’o crossed the line of legality, making contact with his opponent’s thigh after the ball had long gone.
The ensuing controversy ensured a sour end to a thrilling spectacle, but having taken the points, Mourinho was not complaining.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): P Cech 6 — B Ivanovic 6 (sub: A Cole, 30min 6), G Cahill 7, J Terry 7, C Azpilicueta 6 — D Luiz 6, F Lampard 6 (sub: J O Mikel, 46 6) — E Hazard 8, Oscar 7, Willian 7 — S Eto’o 6 (sub: F Torres, 87). Substitutes not used: M Schwarzer, M Essien, J Mata, A Schürrle. Booked: Terry, Luiz, Cahill, Oscar.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): S Mignolet 5 — G Johnson 6 (sub: I Aspas, 83), M Skrtel 6, M Sakho 6 (sub: K Touré, 90), D Agger 5 — Lucas Leiva 6, J Allen 5 (sub: B Smith, 60) — R Sterling 6, J Henderson 5, P Coutinho 7 — L Suárez 6. Substitutes not used: B Jones, L Alberto, A Cissokho, J Rossiter. Booked: Johnson.
Referee: H Webb. Attendance: 41,614.
January Sales
Chelsea 
 
What they need: For all the big-money players that have arrived at Stamford Bridge in recent years Chelsea’s squad lacks balance, but new signings will be at a premium next month as the club are anxious of the need to comply with FFP. While signing a top class striker could win Chelsea the title the focus is on bolstering José Mourinho’s midfield, particularly in the holding role, where Frank Lampard and Ramires have been forced to compromise their natural games.
Targets: Chelsea are still interested in Nemeja Matic and Xabi Alonso, but having failed to sign them last summer may look elsewhere to Fredy Guarin, of Inter Milan.
Spending power: Theoretically limitless, but an outlay of more than £20 million is unlikely.


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Mail:

Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1: Eto'o slides in to seal another big win and Mourinho's men look just champion as they aim for title push
By Martin Samuel

So, that is Liverpool and Manchester City beaten at home, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal equalled away. And Jose Mourinho is not on course for the title in his first year back in England, why exactly?
Oh yes, the practical option remains Manchester City, the romantics favour Arsenal and the true dreamers think Everton may even have an outside chance, but nestling in the heart of that top four are Chelsea and here they made their most emphatic statement of the season.
The 40 minutes that followed Liverpool's jolt of an opening goal here is arguably the best football Chelsea have played since Mourinho's return and if Roman Abramovich can supplement what is already an impressively deep squad in the transfer window, who knows what the second half of the campaign will bring.
The popular wisdom is that only Manchester United's squad know how to win a title over the long haul, but Chelsea have a fair few seasoned campaigners, too, and against Liverpool many of them turned in exactly the level of performance that will be required to kick on towards May.
John Terry was immense in defence on his 600th appearance for the club, so too his partner Gary Cahill. Ashley Cole, out of favour lately, was introduced after 30 minutes in place of the injured Branislav Ivanovic and was as reliable as the day he first stepped out as a Chelsea player.
Cesar Azpilicueta switched full-back positions, and coped superbly; Petr Cech was equally unflappable.
Yet it would give the wrong impression to suggest this was a victory based on stoic resistance.
Chelsea won the game in the first-half when, rocked by a Martin Skrtel goal after three minutes, they regrouped to play Liverpool off the park until half-time.
It was not that Brendan Rodgers' team were poor, more that Chelsea rose mightily to the occasion. Eden Hazard, in particular, was exceptional, as good as he has been in a blue shirt in recent memory. Willian and Oscar were a wonderful supporting cast.
Together this trio overwhelmed Liverpool in the high forward areas, with Lucas left surprisingly lonely and struggling to cope. Chelsea's two goals were thoroughly deserved and could have been supplemented by two more.
Liverpool came back in the second-half, but Mourinho's teams know nothing if not how to hold a lead and while there were some close shaves, Chelsea were not flattered by the award of three points.
It brought the best out of Chelsea that they went behind so early. Samuel Eto'o hit Jordan Henderson at knee height and was lucky not to receive so much as a yellow card, but justice was done once Philippe Coutinho whipped his free-kick into the box. Ivanovic made a hash of dealing with Luis Suarez and only half stopped the ball, which fell to Skrtel with Cech already committed. Chelsea trailed from the first attack of the game.
The response was instant. A free-kick from Frank Lampard was headed just wide by Cahill, Hazard had a decent penalty shout after being bundled over by Lucas and Lampard had a shot from the edge of the area tipped round by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. After 18 minutes, however, Chelsea were level.
It was a move built around that nimble counter-attacking midfield three. Willian found Oscar who drove forward before being tackled, the loose ball falling to Hazard. His instinctive reaction was stunning: a curling, first-time shot which eluded Mignolet and nestled perfectly in the corner of the net; 16 minutes later, Chelsea took the lead.
David Luiz curled a sweet pass wide to Azpilicueta whose cross found Oscar. Skrtel made an error dealing with the danger and the ball fell to Eto'o who prodded it in. The striker is hardly a Stamford Bridge favourite, but his influence was vital. Not just the goal but another tough shift on his own against a robust back line. When he was replaced by Fernando Torres with four minutes remaining, Eto'o finally received the respect his diligence deserved.
Despite Chelsea's defensive strengths, though, Liverpool were never out of this. It took a tremendously timed tackle from Cahill to ward off Allen in a good position in the first-half, and Cech had to be at his best to keep out the same player after Cole had only half-blocked a cross from Raheem Sterling.
The visitors had the better of the second-half which was to be expected chasing the game, although they never got closer than in the 52nd minute, when a Mamadou Sakho header from Henderson's chip struck the bar.
The rest was tame by comparison: a Suarez shot easily saved and another from Glen Johnson that proved more of a test. At the other end, Hazard put Eto'o through one on one and he really should have done more with a finish blasted directly at Mignolet. Torres cut inside from the right late on, but his attempt was ordinary, and his cameo role will be remembered more for the hamstring injury it inflicted on Sakho giving chase. The demands of this time of year will do that, sadly.
The greatest controversy in the second half came from two penalty claims by Suarez. Mourinho was contemptuous but both had virtue, and the second in particular should have been given.
Terry stopped the striker jumping for a high ball in the 64th minute, waved away by Howard Webb, and then with seven minutes remaining, Azpiliciueta won the ball from the Uruguayan fairly, only for Eto'o to prevent him giving chase with blatant obstruction, bordering on a trip.
It would appear Suarez is still paying the price for all those times he went to ground too easily - the same happened to Gareth Bale, and before him Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba - and some will find that amusing, but it will be no laughing matter if one day a player whose talent is a gift to the Premier League tires of his weekly battering and departs.
By the end, it was a familiar scene. Chelsea repelling all intruders, Liverpool's travelling fans reduced to singing that song about history. It always sounds so defeatist, so rooted in the past.
Chelsea do have history, of course: three titles since Liverpool's last one, four FA Cups since Liverpool previously lifted the trophy, not forgetting that Champions League, the first won by a London club and arriving more recently than Liverpool's triumph in 2005.
This is meant to be the season when that run changes but as 2013 draws to a close, the league table shows Liverpool outside the top four again, behind even Everton. The margins are small and the club is without doubt going forward swiftly under Rodgers, but it is Chelsea and Mourinho who are more familiar with the course and distance from here.
Students of history know that on such occasions, the formbook tends to favour the master, more than the apprentice.

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Mirror:
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool: Hazard and Eto'o on target as Blues recover from nightmare start

By Martin Lipton
Trailing within five minutes to Martin Skrtel's goal, Jose Mourinho's side hit back to record a hard-fought victory

Groundhog Day for Brendan Rodgers. More cruelly, Groundhog Day for Simon Mignolet too.
Costly errors, exacting a harsh price. Just like at the Etihad on Thursday, Liverpool left with a sense of injustice at the officiating.
This time, Howard Webb replaced Lee Mason in the cast list of Anfield villains, his contentious calls leaving Liverpool and Luis Suarez stewing, denying the Reds a late penalty. Yet in the matches that matter, key mistakes mean so much more.
Mignolet has played a major role in Liverpool’s unexpected challenge yet three days after helping Alvaro Negredo’s winner into his net at City, the Belgian was at it again.
Maybe Mamadou Sakho should not have allowed Oscar to turn and squirt the ball across from the right 11 minutes before the break.
Certainly Martin Skrtel, who had given the Reds a dream start inside three minutes, needed to react quicker than Samuel Eto’o.
But when the Cameroonian nudged goalwards, Mignolet still got a big hand to the ball, big enough to turn it away, rather than let it trickle against the upright and over the line.
A harsh criticism? Perhaps. Football, though, is a hard game. And when the dust settled, Jose Mourinho's Blues looked better equipped for the real title test.
This was an afternoon which tested the friendship between Rodgers and the Portuguese, ­demonstrated the bad blood between these sides still festers. Some shocking tackles - including one on Lucas by Brazil ­team-mate Oscar in stoppage time which was an absolute horror.
In the final analysis, though, it is Chelsea who go into the second half of the season with momentum, the Merseysiders whose ascent has stalled.
Top of the table on Boxing Day morning. Down to fifth before New Year’s Eve. History made in a manner Liverpool will not wish to mark.
They left complaining that it could have been different. Like they did on Boxing Day.
In fairness, while John Terry’s clash with Suarez could have been given, could have been ignored, Eto’o deserved to concede a spot-kick when he needlessly barged the Uruguayan to the ground six minutes from time, the ball already gone.
Webb, perfectly placed, deemed otherwise. A huge call. Yet Chelsea could also point, with justification, to the football they had played in the first half, ­especially after the shock of Liverpool’s opener.
That came when Eto’o slammed into Jordan ­Henderson’s shin – another escape for the African – Philippe Coutinho delivering the set-piece.
Suarez, up against Branislav Ivanovic for the first time since Anfield in April, flicked against the Serb, with Skrtel handily placed to sweep home.
The perfect start. But Chelsea, with David Luiz playing in central midfield to cut off the supply line to Suarez, were ­excellent.
Eden Hazard was terrific, Willian not far behind, Frank Lampard full of energy. Liverpool were out-muscled, out-harried, their limited options reflected on Rodgers’ bench.
Mignolet saved from Hazard’s skidder – Skrtel nearly put the rebound through his own net – and Lampard’s rising drive, but was powerless with the leveller.
Hazard began it, finding Willian, before continuing his run through the inside left channel as Oscar’s shot was blocked by Sakho. The Belgian then smashed first time into the top corner.
But Lampard’s thigh injury forced a flu-struck John Obi Mikel into the fray and Liverpool sensed a chance.
Sakho was so unlucky when he floated a header against the angle of post and bar, although Mignolet denied Eto’o when the flag, wrongly, stayed down.
Suarez and Glen Johnson tested Cech, the penalty appeals were rejected although Fernando Torres, on for Eto’o, might have finished it off.
No more goals. Mignolet’s slip ending up decisive.
Just as it was at City.

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Express:

Samuel Eto'o is on song at last for Jose Mourinho
OF THE world-class strikers on show at Stamford Bridge yesterday, Samuel Eto’o was not the one expected to emerge as the winner.
By: Tony Banks

There was Luis Suarez, with 19 goals in 13 Premier League games the most in-form forward in Europe – the player every defence fears.
And then there was Eto’o, to many an expensive flop having scored just two goals in the league all season. The 32-year-old has spent most of the campaign gamely, but fruitlessly, chasing the ball.
But there he was yesterday, 34 minutes into a titanic battle, stabbing Oscar’s low cross past Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for the goal that turned out to be the winner.
It was the goal that meant Chelsea had turned the game round after Martin Skrtel had given Liverpool a shock fourth-minute lead, which the brilliant Eden Hazard cancelled out.
And it was the win that meant Chelsea kept up their remorseless challenge to leaders Arsenal, with their third victory in their last four games.
It was also the second successive defeat that Liverpool had suffered against title rivals in the last three days – one that left Brendan Rodgers’ side lying fifth in the table, six points off the lead. They were top on Christmas Day.
Never mind the fact that Eto’o perhaps should not have been on the pitch after an awful second-minute challenge that flattened Jordan Henderson and led to Liverpool’s opener. Never mind that he almost gave away a penalty in the dying minutes as he bundled Suarez over.
Never mind the fact Mignolet should have saved his weak shot, getting both hands to the ball, but still unable to stop it rolling into the net.
Jose Mourinho will not care about any of that. One of his strikers scored! Hold the back page! For only the sixth time this season a Chelsea forward found the back of the net in the league.
What a crucial win this could be for Chelsea. Mourinho keeps saying this team is a long way from the finished article, that there is much work to be done. They have scrambled past Crystal Palace and Swansea in recent weeks and rarely looked convincing.
Yet as 2013 drew to a close, Chelsea once again stymied the hopes of another rival and showed that inch by sometimes painful inch the Special One is forging a unit that is slowly but surely gathering pace.
And in Hazard they have a player becoming more important to Chelsea, more crucial to their immediate future, to their chances of winning this title.
Once again, the £32 million Belgian, so infuriating for much of his 18 months at Stamford Bridge, was outstanding. His pace and trickery gave Chelsea an edge that their strikers so far have failed to provide.
Liverpool, aiming to bounce back from their Boxing Day defeat at Manchester City, got off to the perfect start. Eto’o felled Henderson and Philippe Coutinho swung in the free-kick. Suarez dived with Branislav Ivanovic, the man he famously bit last year, but the ball deflected off the Serb straight to Skrtel, who fired home.
Chelsea, inspired by Hazard, picked themselves up and fought back. His shot was blocked, then Gary Cahill headed wide and Mignolet brilliantly saved from Frank Lampard.
Then Oscar lost the ball as he surged forward, but Hazard was following up and his glorious right-foot shot seared past Mignolet for the equaliser – his 10th goal of the season.
Chelsea were on fire and when Oscar broke into the box on the right, he lost the ball but got it back and crossed low for Eto’o to strike. Mignolet should have saved – but Chelsea celebrated.
Referee Howard Webb dished out a flurry of yellow cards as tempers rose. Eto’o should have sewn the game up when he burst clear, but Mignolet saved.
Suarez, quiet yesterday, had only one effort, and Petr Cech foiled Glen Johnson before Mamadou Sakho struck the bar with a header. But Liverpool’s chances gradually ebbed away.
Oscar too was lucky to stay on the pitch after another poor challenge on Lucas which provoked a flare-up right at the end. But the day belonged to old master Eto’o.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech 7; Ivanovic 6 (Cole 30, 7), Cahill 7, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 7; Luiz 7, Lampard 7 (Mikel 46, 6); Willian 7, Oscar 7, Hazard 8; Eto’o 7 (Torres 87). Booked: Terry, Luiz, Cahill, Oscar. Goals: Hazard 17, Eto’o 34.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mignolet 6; Johnson 6 (Aspas 83), Skrtel 6, Sakho 7 (Toure 90), Agger 7; Lucas 7, Allen 7 (Smith 60, 7); Sterling 7, Henderson 6, Coutinho 6; Suarez 6. Booked: Johnson. Goal: Skrtel 4.
Referee: H Webb (S Yorks).

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Star:

Chelsea 2 - Liverpool 1: Blues grab spoils after going Eto'o to toe with Luis Suarez & Co
YOU know you're in trouble when one of Chelsea's strikers scores the winner against you.
By Paul Brown

It was a day when nothing went right for Liverpool and everything did for Chelsea, who are getting up a head of steam in the title race.
The Blues are now two points from the top of the table, while the Merseysiders have lost back-to-back games against top-four rivals and have slipped from top spot to fifth.
Liverpool had a dream start when Martin Skrtel scored after four minute only for Eden Hazard to equalise 13 minutes later.
And, just like at Manchester City, the Anfield side ended up losing.
It was Samuel Eto'o who scored what turned out to be the winner with only the sixth league goal by a Blues striker this season.
Eto'o has his critics - and he has had better games than this. He also escaped what could easily have been a red card for a studs-up tackle on Jordan Henderson before he scored.
But he became only the second Blues striker to settle a league match for the club since Jose Mourinho's return - Fernando Torres was the first against Manchester City.
This felt like a big statement of intent from the Londoners.
It's seven points from nine for Chelsea this Christmas, and Mourinho was back to his cheerleading best at the end, strutting up the touchline waving his arms about wildly.
Liverpool will count themselves unlucky. They hit the woodwork and had two penalty appeals turned down for tackles on Luis Suarez.
There was a big surprise on the Chelsea teamsheet when Mourinho named David Luiz in midfield.
It was the first time it had happened under the Special One, who insists he sees Luiz as a centre-half first and foremost. But his inclusion helped cut off the supply line to Suarez.
There has been plenty of bad blood between these teams and the opening goal came after a bad, bad foul.
Eto'o is not someone you would associate with making tackles and maybe he should concentrate on trying to score goals because his hack at Henderson was a shocker.
He somehow escaped punishment but Liverpool scored from the resulting free-kick by Philippe Coutinho. Branislav Ivanovic - under pressure from Suarez, the man who bit him last season - got a touch and Skrtel stabbed home from six yards.
Chelsea responded strongly, Glen Johnson clearing off his own line and Gary Cahill wasting a free header before Eden Hazard had a penalty appeal waved away for a push by Lucas. It was breathless stuff, Simon Mignolet acrobatically tipping over a zipping shot from Frank Lampard.
Mourinho endured chants of "Boring, boring Chelsea" after his side were criticised for their display at Arsenal.
This was anything but boring with Chelsea soon level as Hazard finished superbly after an Oscar shot rebounded kindly to him.
When Eto'o made it 2-1 from close range after some good work by Oscar, it was only what Chelsea deserved. They were rampant.
But Liverpool sensed weakness when Ivanovic limped off. He was replaced by Ashley Cole, with Cesar Azpilicueta switching to right back.
Sterling got in behind him almost immediately, and Cech did well to deny Joe Allen after Cole was caught out again moments later. When John Obi Mikel emerge for the second half instead of Lampard, who had a thigh problem, Liverpool's belief was reinforced.
Chelsea instantly retreated into their shell and Mamadou Sakho hit the crossbar with a header.
Eto'o should have made it 3-1 when he found himself clean through oneon-one with Mignolet, but the keeper pulled off a fine reaction save.
It was another example of Chelsea's inability to kill off games. This time it didn't come back to haunt them, though Suarez twice had penalty appeals turned down for challenges by Terry and Eto'o and and Johnson was denied by Cech.
But it was far from pretty and in stoppage time both Oscar and Lucas could have seen red.