Mauricio Pochettino took charge of his first game at Chelsea on Sunday (Picture: AP)
Mauricio Pochettino’s first match as Chelsea head coach ended with a point as his side played out an entertaining 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Luis Diaz handed Jurgen Klopp’s side the lead following a wonderful assist from Mohamed Salah before new Chelsea defender Axel Disasi scored on his debut to level things up.
Salah and Ben Chiwell both saw goals ruled out by VAR in what was an enthralling, end-to-end battle and Enzo Fernandez particularly impressed with his midfield play.
But despite dominating the second half, Chelsea were unable to find the winner as Liverpool avoided defeat in west London.
It was a shaky start for Chelsea, who were clearly struggling for fluency as new boss Pochettino handed debuts to four players, and Liverpool nearly took an early lead as a rocket from Mohamed Salah on the edge of the box struck the crossbar.
Salah got himself involved in the opening goal of the match, though, producing a superb assist with a sublime pass across the face of goal finding Diaz to slot home after 18 minutes and the Egyptian almost doubled the lead on the half-hour mark but he was ruled narrowly offside by VAR.
Chelsea were growing into the game and had several chances themselves before Disasi deservedly levelled things up on 37 minutes as Ben Chilwell looped a header over Virgil van Dijk and the new defender managed to stretch out a boot and fire in the equaliser in front of the Shed End at Stamford Bridge.
Just moments later and Chelsea almost went 2-1 up but VAR once again stepped in and denied Chilwell, who mistimed his run and was deemed to be in an offside position in what was another tight call from the match officials.
Chelsea’s new striker Nicolas Jackson wasted a big chance to put Pochettino’s side ahead but his shot blazed over the bar as the sides went in at half-time locked at 1-1 – and he almost gave away a penalty less than 10 minutes after the restart – but VAR deemed that it was not handball, with his arm tucked into his chest.
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The west Londoners were dominating in the second half and Alisson was forced to make saves from Chilwell and Jackson before Klopp decided to make some key changes with 15 minutes left – taking off Salah – who looked angry at the call.
Late chances fell with Liverpool substitute Darwin Nunez seeing a deflected shot go inches wide and Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk was causing problems but neither side was able to find a winner in what was a thrilling draw.
Chelsea are back in action next Sunday with a trip to West Ham while Liverpool host AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
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Two goals were ruled out by VAR in a lively match at Stamford Bridge.