Football: Mane double eases Liverpool to 2-0 win over 10-man Chelsea

Sadio Mane scores Liverpool's opening goal against Chelsea on Sept 20, 2020. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

LONDON (REUTERS) - Two goals from Sadio Mane just after halftime eased champions Liverpool to a 2-0 win over 10-man Chelsea in the Premier League season's first heavyweight clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (Sept 20).

A dull game never threatened to live up to the eight-goal thriller when the sides met in July, and it proved all-too-easy for Liverpool to lay down the season's first big marker although Chelsea were architects of their own downfall.

Chelsea managed only one goal attempt in the first half but were solid enough until Danish defender Andreas Christensen was sent off shortly before the interval for hauling down Mane.

Mane headed Liverpool in front five minutes after the interval and four minutes later took advantage of a dreadful error by Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as the hosts crumbled.

Liverpool gave new midfield signing Thiago Alcantara a debut off the bench but the Spaniard's first impact was to offer Chelsea a lifeline by fouling Timo Werner to concede a penalty with a little under 20 minutes remaining.

But Jorginho's effort was saved by the otherwise redundant Alisson Becker to spare Liverpool any late tension.

Mane worked tirelessly, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino linked effortlessly and Fabinho earned rave reviews from manager Jurgen Klopp for a superb display helping nullify Chelsea's attack.

The only time Klopp looked irritated all day was when scolding his substitutes and assistants for celebrating the sending off of Christensen.

"After the red card, the second half is a different game. We kept the ball rolling, let them run, scored the goals, conceded a penalty, Ali saved it, so all good. Everybody had a hand in the result," Klopp said.

On Thiago's debut, Klopp added: "He needs to get used to his team mates, but when they went one man down it became the perfect game for him. I liked his game a lot. Defensively it was tricky for him, but offensively, with the ball, that's him, he wants to pass the ball."

Liverpool have won both their opening games while Chelsea have three points.

"Every team that's been successful has had time, has had a process and our process starts here. Not from last year," said Chelse manager Frank Lampard, who could not make any signings in his first transfer window in charge last year due to a transfer ban.

"Last year we couldn't do much business so we worked and worked and worked to come fourth.

"Our objectives, our expectations are higher, but we will take some time. "

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