Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool: Blues Comeback Rocks Reds
Chelsea came from behind at Stamford Bridge to inflict a second festive defeat on Liverpool. Jose Mourinho triumphed over Brendan Rodgers in the battle between the Special One and his apprentice.
The visitors led through Martin Skrtel's early opener, but Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o struck to ensure the hosts won it. A home win moved the Blues to two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea were undone by a set piece with three minutes played after Eto'o caught Jordan Henderson on the knee. Luis Suarez met Philippe Coutinho's delivery, that deflected off Branislav Ivanovic and Reds defender Skrtel snapped up the loose ball.
Simon Mignolet then saved from Eden Hazard at the other end and Slovakia centre back Skrtel almost put through his own net, but Glen Johnson cleared the danger. Hazard then went down in the Liverpool box under Lucas Leiva's challenge, but referee Howard Webb said no penalty.
Frank Lampard brought a fine stop out of Mignolet on 11 minutes with the Belgian tipping over one-handed. Hazard then equalized clinically after a quarter of an hour when Mamadou Sakho blocked Oscar's shot to him.
The Blues lost Ivanovic on half an hour to a foot injury. Ashley Cole came on so Cesar Azpilicueta switched to right back. Three minutes later Chelsea completed the turnaround through Eto'o.
Azpilicueta got up from his favoured position and found Oscar. Sakho survived a hint of handball, but the Brazilian carried on playing and got a low cross through his legs. Eto'o stabbed goalwards and Mignolet simply could not keep this close range effort out.
Petr Cech parried from Joe Allen late in the first half after good work by Raheem Sterling and a poor clearance from Cole. Mourinho's men led at the break but Lampard picked up a thigh strain, so John Obi Mikel replaced him for second half.
Sakho saw a looping header hit the goal frame from a lofted Lucas Leiva through-ball. Moments later Mignolet saved from Eto'o on his near post at the other end when Hazard set the Blues striker away.
Reds star striker Suarez volleyed straight into the grateful gloves of Cech before the hour mark. Rodgers then lost Joe Allen to injury, so youngster Brad Smith came on to make his Liverpool debut.
Glen Johnson forced Cech to tip round the post with a low strike off his weaker foot as the visitors searched for a late leveller. Suarez saw two penalty appeals turned down by referee Howard Webb. Eto'o took a chance when he barged into the back of the Reds frontman in the box.
Fernando Torres could've sealed it late on when he was brought on, but his shot after a determined burst infield from the right went straight Mignolet. Defeat for Liverpool sees them slip to fifth and behind neighbours Everton as we head into the New Year.