Saturday's English Premier League clash between Liverpool and Chelsea was everything football fans expected. The 2-1 Blues win was thrilling, heated, and feisty, as Jose Mourinho's men went on to grab all three points, maintaining their healthy lead at the top of the table.
Despite losing the Anfield encounter, it was the Reds who opened the goalscoring, as a ninth minute deflection off of Garry Cahill saw Emre Can put the home side in front early on in the game.
However, the 28-year-old English defender was to make amends as he pulled Chelsea back level after five minutes, a goal that came down to the wire, with goal-line technology proving Cahill's strike crossed the line before Simon Mignolet's save.
The Stamford Bridge side's top scorer Diego Costa then netted the winning goal in the 67th minute, earning Chelsea their ninth win and 29th point of the season.
A very entertaining game, there were a few odd things witnessed at Saturday's game. Here, we look at the top 5.
1-) Diego Costa can single-handedly win Chelsea the EPL
By now, everyone is fully aware that Diego Costa has taken Chelsea to the next level. 10 goals in 9 English Premier League games underline the 26-year-old's talents. Just compare him to the last Spanish striker the Blues had to rely on for goals, Fernando Torres.
Awesome Diego Costa stats
It took Fernando Torres 52 games to score 10 Premier League goals for Chelsea. Diego Costa has done it in 9 games. pic.twitter.com/OtZDtyuHxY
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 8, 2014
Battle scares as the Spanish striker guides Chelsea to a 2-1 win over Liverpool
Well, that's probably not of his own doing. #LFC #CFC pic.twitter.com/jOklvPUyVH
— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) November 8, 2014
2-) Mario Balotelli: 14 goals, 13 yellow cards
Since the beginning of last season, the Italian striker has earned almost as many bookings as goals.
If Liverpool had a goal every time Balotelli got booked, maybe the Italian would be a hit at Anfield
Mario Balotelli in the league since the start of last season: 14 goals (all for AC Milan) 13 yellow cards. pic.twitter.com/1S8ZewIJXZ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 8, 2014
3-) Goal-line technology outperformed the actual referee
Anfield's clash saw goal-line technology rightfully award Gary Cahill Chelsea's equalizing goal. Initially deemed to have been saved on the line, it was later shown that his shot had actually crossed over.
"Everyone knows this is truth and that is fantastic for us as professional and for the crowd, as they know it’s true, and for the referees," Mourinho said about the decision.
Goal-line technology proved Gary Cahill's equalizing goal crossed over the line
Whilst the Goal Decision System can walk away with a job well done, the same can't be said about Anthony Taylor. The referee did not notice Gary Cahill's handball inside the penalty box towards the end of the game, failing to award the Reds a spot kick, refusing shouts for a penalty from the Liverpool players .
Rodgers was clearly not happy with Taylor's decision, stating after the game: "It’s bitterly disappointing for us,’ he said. ‘It’s a big decision in a big game which we didn’t get and it wasn’t even in doubt, it was a clear, clear handball and the referee had a clear look. My players gave everything today and if they weren’t going to get it from open play they certainly deserved it from the penalty spot. It is a difficult moment for us as we’re not getting the results and it’s been a tough week."
Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty late in the game after this Gary Cahill handball
However, referee Anthony Taylor did not pick up on the handball, and turned down the Reds' appeal for a spot kick
Their was also a cloud of doubt surrounding the legitimacy of Diego Costa's winning goal as many of Brendan Rodgers' men protested that the ball went out of play during the build up. Do you agree?
DEBATE: Did the ball go out of play in the build up to Costa's winning goal?
4-) No, really, the referee was poor on Saturday
Then there was the odd moment involving Ramires and Raheem Sterling. The Brazilian midfielder appeared to have smacked the English attacker with his forearm during the match. However, the official decided it was the 19-year-old who deserved a booking.
Really?! Sterling gets yellow carded for being hit in the face
Yelllow card for Sterling. pic.twitter.com/wFWpBY3oiA
— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) November 8, 2014
5-) Diego Costa and Martin Skrtel are not the best of friends
During Slovakia's Euro Qualifier clash with Spain, the two squared off as a feud between Costa and Skrtel emerged. Fast forward to November 8, and the two were at each other's throats yet again in Chelsea's 2-1 win. What has sparked this heated rivalry, one must wonder?
Diego Costa vs Martin Skrtel: A heated feud
Diego Costa pic.twitter.com/7UW79G8fZ8
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) November 8, 2014
