Pulisic caps Chelsea comeback, drawing 2-2 with Liverpool

Posted January 02, 2022 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Chelsea's Christian Pulisic, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - Christian Pulisic completed Chelsea's fightback against Liverpool to claim a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Sunday.

The American struck in the 45th minute for only a third goal from 11 league appearances this season, three minutes after Mateo Kovacic's first-time volley from the edge of the penalty area began the recovery.

A pulsating first half started with Liverpool forward Sadio Mane escaping a red card for elbowing CÃ©sar Azpilicueta in the face while trying to get past the Chelsea captain.

Mane then netted the opener in the ninth minute after rounding goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Mohamed Salah doubled the lead in the 26th by squeezing a shot past Mendy at his near post.

Chelsea retrieved the draw even without Romelu Lukaku. The striker, signed in the offseason for nearly 100 million pounds (then around $140 million), was omitted from the matchday squad after expressing frustration about his role in the team.

The only winner was Manchester City which is 10 points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with Liverpool a further point back.

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Chelsea???s Christian Pulisic, right, scores his side???s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) The Associated Press

Liverpool's goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, right, challenges Chelsea's Kai Havertz during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) The Associated Press

Chelsea's Kai Havertz, left, is challenged by Liverpool's James Milner during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) The Associated Press

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