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LIVERPOOL, England - Raheem Sterling found a way past formidable Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with an exquisite solo goal to earn Liverpool a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their English League Cup semifinal on Tuesday. Nike Air Max 90 Kopen .It needed something special to beat Courtois at Anfield and Sterling delivered in the 59th minute, picking up the ball 40 metres from goal, turning and speeding away from Chelseas defence before applying a low finish.That cancelled out an 18th-minute penalty won and converted by Eden Hazard in the only shot on goal Chelsea produced in a defensive performance that saw the Premier League leaders outplayed at times, especially in the second half.They are a top side but Im not sure theyve had a game like that this season, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said. I thought the performance was a benchmark. There is absolutely no doubt we can go to the second leg and get the performance we need.Chelsea will be relieved to come away on level terms and is the marginal favourite heading into the return match at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. After a slow start to the season, though, Liverpool has rediscovered its identity and intensity that almost took the team to the Premier League title last season. The Reds are unbeaten in nine games.Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho grumbled about his sides poor distribution but that was due to the pressure being applied by Liverpool, which is seeking to extend its record of eight titles in the League Cup.The visitors had only two shots in a game played in light snowfall, one of which ended in the net when Hazard picked himself up after being fouled by makeshift defender Emre Can to send goalkeeper Simon Mignolet the wrong way from the spot.After that, it was all Liverpool and only Courtois brilliance denied them a lead to take to London. He tipped Liverpool captain Steven Gerrards long-range strike over the bar in the first half and produced a string of fine saves after the break — the best from a fierce strike by Adam Lallana that the Belgium international palmed away, right-handed.Of course, after all the chances, we have to be happy with the result, Courtois said. They were dangerous and it was difficult for us.Gerrard, seeking one last appearance at Wembley Stadium before his summer move to Los Angeles Galaxy, struck the post with a left-footed curling shot as Liverpool came close to a second. Courtois was also lucky to escape without punishment when he carried the ball outside his area after sliding to collect a long pass.The League Cup is one of four trophies Chelsea is chasing this season and probably the lowest of manager Mourinhos priorities. But the Londoners fielded their strongest possible lineup after playing weakened teams earlier in the competition.Of course after the all the chances we have to happy with the result. They were dangerous and it was a difficult for us. We were not at our best but a 1-1 score is good for the second leg.Tottenham plays third-tier Sheffield United in the other semifinal, with the first leg on Wednesday.Thibaut (Courtois) has been doing this all season, save after save. He showed what a world-class goalkeeper he is. Nike Air Max 1 Sale Nederland . - Holden Cook and Kyle Hope combined for seven points as the Owen Sound Attack downed the visiting Barrie Colts 5-1 on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. Nike Air Max 1 Dames Sale Nederland . Not exactly bursting with sentimental feelings, Matthew Lombardi makes an odd return to the state of Tennessee on Thursday night.Despite seeing other Eastern Conference playoff contenders add to their teams prior to the trade deadline, Dave Nonis chose to stand pat, saying that although he did make offers on several rental players, the costs proved prohibitive. Im not convinced that adding the players that we could havve added would have made us that much better, if at all, Nonis told TSN 1050, adding he thought he owed it to his roster to keep them intact in order to compete for a playoff spot despite the teams seven upcoming UFAs. Adidas Superstar 2 Dames. Dave Nonis on standing pat at the deadline cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
