The UEFA Super Cup Final in Istanbul went right to the wire, as Liverpool pipped Chelsea 5-4 on penalties after the game finished 2-2 after extra time. Here are seven things we learned from tonight's match in Turkey.
1. ADRIAN GETS REVENGE OVER ABRAHAM IN THE SHOOT-OUT
Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian was harshly penalized for a supposed foul on Tammy Abraham, with the Chelsea player going to ground despite minimal (if any) contact between the pair as the Blues scored a crucial equalizer from the spot.
But the Reds' stand-in stopper – playing while first-choice keeper Alisson Becker recovers from an ankle injury sustained on the season's opening day – got his revenge when a nervous-looking Abraham stepped up to take Chelsea's crucial fifth penalty in the shoot-out.
Abraham's spot-kick went straight down the middle, and Adrian saved with his trailing leg to win the shoot-out and secure victory for Liverpool.
2. THE ALL-FEMALE OFFICIATING TEAM HAD A BUSY NIGHT
For the first time ever in a major European game, the three on-pitch officials were all women. And the trio of French referee Stephanie Frappert and assistants Manuela Nicolosi of Italy and Michelle O'Neill from the Republic of Ireland had plenty to do on a busy night.
The officials chalked off two Chelsea goals - correctly - for offside, and kept control of the game well. But even though referee Frappert had a strong game in charge, her decision to award a penalty against Adrian for his challenge of Tammy Abraham was proved to be incorrect when viewed on instant replay.
3. N'GOLO KANTE WAS OUT TO IMPRESS
After a season largely spent playing in a more advanced midfield role under Maurizio Sarri, Kante has been given his place back in the heart of Chelsea's midfield by new boss Frank Lampard. And the Frenchman put in an impressive display, including an outstanding first-half performance that saw him cover an incredible amount of ground in a tireless display.
He even managed to produce a cheeky 'nutmeg' on Liverpool's James Milner, much to the amusement of Chelsea fans online.
4. OLIVER GIROUD & CHRISTIAN PULISIC PROVED THEMSELVES
French striker Giroud showed his worth in a solid first-half showing that featured a lot of tireless running as he led the line well and he capped off a good opening 45 minutes for Chelsea with the first competitive goal of Frank Lampard's Chelsea managerial reign as he slotted a superb Christian Pulisic pass, first-time, past Adrian to put the Blues ahead after 35 minutes.
New boy Pulisic was in real eye-catching form during the opening 45 minutes of this lively encounter. The 20-year-old American was full of movement, pace, and energy as he punished Liverpool’s vulnerable high line.
It was an encouraging display from the youngster, which Frank Lampard would have enjoyed from the sidelines. Pulisic is one of the few new faces at his disposal this season and really took to the big occasion against top-class opposition.
5. ROBERTO FIRMINO MADE AN INSTANT IMPACT
Needing an injection of energy at the start of the second half, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp introduced front man Roberto Firmino, and the Brazilian striker made an immediate impact as he broke into the Chelsea penalty area and unselfishly laid the ball off for strike partner Sadio Mane to bundle home the crucial equalizer.
6. 'KEPA THE KEEPER' PRODUCED A STUNNING DOUBLE-SAVE
Chelsea's young Spanish stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga had to be at his best to keep Liverpool at bay during the second half, and made a superb double-save to deny first Mo Salah, then Virgil van Dijk with back-to-back saves.
7. SADIO MANE MAKES SCORING GOALS LOOK EASY
His first may have been a bundled effort from short range, but his second, a brilliant first-time strike from 12 yards that flew in off the underside of the crossbar, showed that he's a finisher who's brimming with confidence.
The Senegalese striker finished joint top of the Premier League's goalscoring charts last season and, after starting this year's campaign on the bench, appears to be starting the new season in fine form.
JoshuaX
769
Chelsea’s #9 ghost struck again 🏃🏾♂️
JamesWalker
429
KANTE: tell me the best midfielder I'll wait❤
Tylerwest
383
Kante is playing CDM, CM, LM, RM, CAM, ST at the moment
suocmorsty
329
I'm a Liverpool fan,but Chelsea deserved to win.They played better football than us.Nevertheless, I'm extremely happy for my team.
Darap
257
I really enjoyed the match we lost but those lads performance was really great if they can play like this,there future is bright up Chelsea welldone Liverpool much love
joobkltu
236
Replacing Robertson was the winning moment. Nothing to do with Referee, diving or Var etc....
SamratCR7
226
Bullshit refreeing. No man has ever refreed females game so female also shouldn't be allowed to. It's just hard to argue with opposite gender. I'm not being sexist just the facts.
DjBM1
172
What a display from the new kids , the whole entire team of CHELSEA LOOK 👀 terrific...Kente to me is man 👨 of the match ... our injuries players made it so easy for Manchester United. Nevertheless we shall penalize them in return. Good job 👏 and I hope Lampard will keep this first 11 starters until Williams co returns ... love for Chelsea fc
Masir_LM10_Barça
116
actually Chelsea deserved to win...gameplay of chelsea was far better than liverpool...
robertoaguero
111
what about Pedro he was everywhere to and ox just didn't do a single think on the pitch
SamratCR7
102
The penalty of Abraham should have been retaken as Adrian was out of his goal line to make the save.Actually Adrian was out of his goal line many times but those refree saw nothing
muliken
78
Lampard to stay... Full support,.. 🔥 🔥
SravanMN
70
Hero...
SandipSarkar1997
65
missing Hazard ?? there he is . ..
salmanalfaris
56
I have to admit this game was better than CL final
Kinmorstuz
47
4:3:3 formation worked soo well.... with Jorginho performing well in the xavi roll... everyone was just impressive...viva Chelsea heads up Liverpool for the trophy...though you didn't deserve it
rodadrst
45
So it was only the Tammy penalty that they got wrong? How about Mane's offside which he almost converted? Or the several fouls from behind which she waved play on for? Or the several times the lineswoman missed balls going out of touch? Or the corner kick Emerson won off Gomez which was not given? Or the fact that Adrian was clearly off his line before Tammy played his penalty? The officiating was poor. It was pretty clear that either the new IFAB rules were not applicable to the Super Cup or the 3 ladies were busy painting their nails and not paying attention when during the briefing. Cos they failed to apply the rules on several occasions. Players failing to leave the pitch at the nearest exit, Adrian failing to keep 1 foot on the line during PKs etc.
cakacimpry
44
The super cup 2019 had come and gone but the memory of it remains for decades. Another history made, Liverpool Istanbul come back repeated . this time not against AC Milan but EPL rival Chelsea FC. To say the truth, all parties enjoyed the game. the two clubs disserved credit. Every player involved gave all to the match. Among the two teams many players were outstanding in their different styles. I am a Liverpool fan but l love Chelsea were playing. N'gono Kante and Christian Polisic good form. On the other side of it Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are in excellent from. I like how the March ended 2:2 drow before Liverpool finally won by penalty shootout. YNWA.
Aqeel_Ahmad
36
Chelsea was far better side then liver pool. If they had a finisher like mane they would have scored 3 to 4 goals at least. Lampard had them in their knees by the end of game
Nesaiknruy_Legend
27
What matters is that we proved our critics wrong. Though if I'm honest, it feels less painful as a fan to lose a game 3-0 than it does to lose on penalties knowing we had a chance of winning. Anyways the blues will prove everyone wrong again like last season with or without Hazard...