The Reds made it through to the semi final of the league cup thanks to a deserved and relatively easy win away at Chelsea. Maxi came back in to the side and once again scored at Chelsea as we won - just as he had just over a week ago.
A much changed side saw Carragher and Coates come in at the back with Martin Kelly at right back. Jay Spearing was in the middle whilst Andy Carroll was up top and joined by Craig Bellamy who had a cracking game.
The Reds got the game started at Stamford Bridge but it was the home side who had the first real shout for the action. David Luiz charged forward and after playing a one two went in to the box but as he pushed the ball past Coates he made sure he went over his leg. The ref decided it was simulation and Luiz was booked. For me it could have gone either way but I think what swung it is the fact he seemed to look for the leg and made such a meal of his fall it looked very fake. I found it all rather amusing given who it was - I thought he was a clumsy player last time out and I still think he is - a weak link well worth exploiting.
A few minutes later at the other end and it was the Reds shouting for a penalty as Enrique crossed the ball and Carroll went down under a push in the back. There was a nudge there but whether it was a pen I'm not sure.
It may not have been a penalty but it did wake the Reds up well and from this point on we were by far the better side.
At the third time of asking a penalty finally did get given on twenty minutes and it was for the Reds. Enrique put a cross in and it was destined for Carroll only to fly away off Alex but the Reds striker raced after the ref. He was joined by many Reds all claiming a handball and with the ball out of play it was all a bit bizarre but clearly through his transmitter the ref got advice from the assistant and then he pointed to the spot for a hand ball. Alex was duly booked and now it was a case of who takes the pen. Andy Carroll spotted the ball up but blasting the ball quite straight allowed Turnbull to turn the ball away as he moved to one side.
The Reds had got the game by the scruff of the neck but missed a pen and that bothered me. I always think missing a pen is criminal at the best of times but even this early I was worried it would come back to haunt us. I needn't have worried though as Chelsea remained poor in the game.
The Reds continued to dominate the half without really setting any great chances up. Chelsea were then forced in to a change before half time came as McEachran was subbed for Ramires with the youngster looking injured.
Just before half time Henderson was badly tackled by about three Chelsea players on the halfway line but thankfully was ok to carry on after treatment. Bertrand was the one shown yellow after the free kick was given but I've seen a replay since that shows it was actually a woeful tackle by Lukaku which was potentially a red card in itself.
Half time came though and there was still no score and part of you worries that at some point Chelsea would start playing and stop being so awful. We had played really well without really working the keeper enough - bar the missed penalty.
The second half proved to be more one way traffic for us as we used good width and pace about our game.
Coates was booked for the Reds as he blatantly blocked Torres off as he tried to run down the right wing - he'd drifted out just to try and get involved in the game having being starved by his own players and well marshaled by the Reds defence.
From the resulting free kick Chelsea did actually hit the crossbar from the back post and then Coates managed to Block a header from Luiz. It was a warning sign for the Reds and they heeded it by taking the lead.
Jordan Henderson played a superb ball from midfield to send Bellamy racing clear down the right wing behind Luiz and he couldn't get back to prevent Beller's squaring the ball for Maxi to tap home from six yards. Two superb balls and a bit of pace and Chelsea were completely undone.
It was no more than we deserved and five minutes later the score was doubled. Craig Bellamy attacked down the left and was blocked off which resulted in a free kick. Bellamy took the free kick and he flighted the ball to the back post where an un-marked Martin Kelly rose well to head the ball home. Kelly has scored a few for the U21 England side so it was about time he was allowed to go up for corners and free kicks. He was clearly made up at his goal and it's was great to see another player getting in to the scoring charts for us.
Chelsea made two changes after the goal with Mata and Anelka replacing Malouda and Lukaku as they tried to get back in to the game - but it was already too late I thought.
The Reds were forced in to a switch on seventy minutes when Lucas went down injured in a tackle and despite trying to come back on after treatment he couldn't carry on. Charlie Adam was sent on his place which didn't affect us at all.
A couple of minutes later and Anelka was sent through but as Reina raced to the edge of his box he was partly nutmegged but Anelka then had his shot deflected and subsequently cleared from goal.
Not long after that Torres forced Reina in to a full stretch save with a header which he held on to well.
The Reds made their second change with eleven minutes to go as Craig Bellamy was exchanged for Dirk Kuyt. Bellamy was given a huge ovation as he came off and he'd worked his socks off all night with both goals being down to him.
With the clock ticking on there was only one team going to score now and that was us getting a third so Stamford Bridge soon started to empty out and that in itself said enough about our performance. In the final minutes Martin Skrtel replaced Maxi which allowed him to get a huge and deserved ovation - he's showing huge quality about him given little game time this season.
The final whistle finally went and the Reds were in the draw for the semi final and finally the Reds could get a non league game at Anfield this season.
MotM : Craig Bellamy - played superbly well all night and it was through him that the goals came.
