Stamford Bridge - the game in a cage

And the actions have begun at Stamford Bridge. Its Chelsea vs Liverpool. The first big game of the season for both the sides. They are yet to face any of the big 4 or lets say the big 5 now. The Arsenal-Blackburn game just before this one saw a deluge of goals. But this is not the match which has traditionally been a high scoring affair, except for the last Champions League match between them. Ancelotti has decided to bring in Deco and Ivanovic, while Benitez has replaced Benayoun with Riera. A real big change has been the red card to Petr Cech, against Wigan. Thus comes in Henrique Hilario guarding the blues' goal. He is known to have a few weaknesses of his own.

As expected, the game has opened to a stifling opening period of at least 15 minutes. No clear cut openings for either team. The ball has been moving from box to box none of the strikers getting a good look at the ball. The first 10 minutes saw a little positive opening while Chelsea had the better ball possession during the next 10. Torres was sent clear on the left hand side in the 16th minute, but was well guarded by the time he reached the box. Both the teams are trying to maintain possession of the ball. Out of no clear openings, Anelka sent a high ball into the Liverpool box, which Drogba heads powerfully towards the goal. Fortunately, the ball was looping and Reina collected it comfortably.

From a midfield battle, the ball grazed out to the right of the midfield. Essien forces a cross into the Reds' box yet again, and Anelka reaches to it. Once again, Reina catches the ball as it bounces towards his far post. That was another routine save from the spaniard. Next up was a chance for Steven Gerrard. Ivanovic brought down Torres by tugging onto his shirt. Up stepped Gerrard on the free kick but could not keep it down or rather, could not get the right dip on it before it went over the crossbar. Another chance for Riera was next on the line. He got the ball on the left side and did well to dribble and get towards the box. However, there was no opportunity to shoot which he did.

Drogba then fashioned a free-kick from a dangerous position. From the right hand side near the flag post, Ballack was the first one to reach the ball but could not guide it within the heights of the crossbar. It flew over. That's the first set-piece against Liverpool in this match, and they were not able to get the ball cleared. Drogba once again comes up with his antics to fetch another free-kick right in the center of midfield. However Lampard got a little too ambitious with this one. He tried scoring from all of 40 yards and sends the ball wide of Reina's left hand side. Another cagey pass and shoot opportunity turns into a corner for Chelsea. This time its better defended although Essien gets to shoot twice. Once he is blocked and the next is held by Reina.

A quick goal kick by Reina on the 40th minute sends Gerrard down the center and he picks out Kuyt on the right. His cross is perfectly positioned for Torres who could not put enough power on it. Hilario holds. Straight up from that is a corner for Chelsea as Drogba wrestles the Liverpool back four. The header goes the wrong side of goal post. 44th minute fetched the first yellow card of the game. Michael Essien got booked for his foul on Lucas. Oh yeah, he was playing as well. Now that was some free kick. Riera brings down his lethal left foot and goes for Hilario's left post. The Chelsea goalkeeper just about manages to get his palm onto that ball. From the resulting corner, Drogba brings down Skrtel, but the referee was not interested.

That's it for the half-time at Stamford Bridge. Its Chelsea 0 - 0 Liverpool.

Action resumed at the Bridge. There has been little to choose so far. Although Chelsea would be easily the better side of the 2 with their ball possession. A Gerrard free kick on the 48th minute was held comfortably by Hilario. Ivanovic was the next one to try his luck. From all of 30 yard, he lets loose a cannon. The ball swerves and bounces right in front of Reina. But he shows his class and holds it comfortably right in front of his bent knees. In the 51st minute, Glen Johnson had a tackle on Drogba. Although he got to the ball first, Drogba got entangled into a sliding Johnson. That turned out to be a minor injury scare for the Blues. He was back after a minor injury treatment on the sidelines.

Ballack then upended Riera near the right hand byline. The free kick was dealt well by Hilario who punched it away. Mascherano fairs poorly for Chelsea's first goal. He should know he is not a dribbler. He gives the ball away cheaply. The counter-attack runs ragged through the Liverpool ranks. Drogba runs out to left and puts in an awkward cross for Anelka, who is an accomplished finisher. It rests comfortably in the middle of the net over an advancing Reina. On the 67th minute, Benayoun replaced Riera on the left. That was a rather positive move for Liverpool. He almost got the ball across to Torres, but for a header from Carvalho.

Benayoun is one of the most creative player in this Liverpool side. Ever since he was sent on, Liverpool was found doing something with the ball other than looking for Torres and Gerrard. On the 76th minute, Lucas was brought off for Ryan Babel. Simultaneously Chelsea sent Malouda for Deco. Straight away Gerrard was booked for a lunge on his English team-mate Lampard. The 80th minute saw a gilt edged chance for Torres. Terry blocked Gerrard inside the 18-yard box only for the ball to reach the left foot of Torres. And he scuffed it wide of Chelsea's left upright.

Next up was Aurelio. He came in for Insua. The Chelsea corner was better defended by the visiting team. Time is running short and is so is the patience of Rafael Benitez. The Reds have not shown enough color and courage to fight it out with a very structured and disciplined Chelsea side. The clear tactic from Ancelotti had been to cripple Gerrard and Torres. It had clearly worked so far. Even the superstar Johnson had been off color so far. He could not go past defenders as easily as he floated otherwise, neither were his crosses into the box meant for his own teammates.

It was 3 minutes of added time. Babel and Benayoun were still looking good on the flanks as compared to the starting pairing. As usual, Drogba wrestled once more against the likes of Skrtel and Carragher. He haggled them once again and ran into the box against the byline. His cross was converted by Malouda at the near post. And it was 2-0. Immediately after the restart it was Benayoun with an open goal gaping in front of him, with only Hilario to beat. He sent his right foot shot inches wide of the left post. That was not characteristic of the Israeli international. The final seconds saw a blistering left footer from Gerrard which needed a full stretch from the Chelsea goalkeeper.

Time for the final whistle. Chelsea 2 - 0 Liverpool. Drogba makes it a day for himself and his club. Torres gets hardly a mention in the match notes. Chelsea go back to top of the English Premier League tally. Congratulations to them.

You Will Never Walk Alone.