EPL: Costa misses penalty; Chelsea, Liverpool share spoils

Liverpool halted their three-game losing streak as they shared spoils with the Premier League leaders Chelsea after grabbing a 1-1 draw at Anfield in a game of high intensity.

Chelsea defender David Luiz and Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum got their names on the scoresheet in a game that saw the home side make

powerful inroads. The game was Chelsea's first draw in almost five months but they still sit clear at the top with a nine-point advantage while Liverpool lag behind with 10-point difference from the league leaders.

Liverpool started the game in an extremely lively manner forcing Chelsea on the back foot. Constant efforts from Adam Lallana, Philipe Coutinho, James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Wijnaldum helped the home side create threatening chances against Chelsea.

In the 12th minute, Lallana beautifully flicked off a lofted pass towards Coutinho but the Brazilian was let down by his shoddy first touch denying him a chance at goal. He then controlled the ball well and picked out Wijnaldum who struck a powerful shot at the goal only to be punched out by Thibaut Courtois.

Following the jolt, Chelsea began to make some good efforts up front with N'Gole Kante and Eden Hazard linking up well. With Chelsea starting to find their feet, Liverpool began to display panicky moments. In the 23rd minute, Hazard made a darting run towards Liverpool box and he was brought down by Lallana, resulting into a free-kick.

While it looked like Willian was going to take the free-kick, Luiz stepped up from the centre and struck wonderfully off the inside of the near post into the back of the net, giving Chelsea the lead.

The teams went into the break with Chelsea leading 1-0.

Soon into the second half (49'), Liverpool broke on a blistering counter-attack with Lallana making the run before teeing up Nathanial Clyne who put the ball towards Firmino but the youngster shot the ball high despite ample amount of space in front of him.

Just two minutes later, Diego Costa and Moses linked up extremely well but Moses' near-post header hit the post.

In the 57th minute, the home side roared back into the game as a curling cross at the far post was met aptly by Milner and he headed the ball at Wijnaldum who skipped past Luiz to head downward into the back of the net.

In the 75th minute, Costa burst into the penalty area after winning a loose ball from Lovren and Matip stuck out his foot clumsily to bring down Costa thus, giving Chelsea a penalty. As Costa stepped up to take the penalty, his poor low strike in the bottom left was saved by a diving Mignolet.

Liverpool had a chance to win the game in the stoppage time when Sadio Mane sent a lovely cross in the centre of the penalty area but Firmino headed the ball straight at Courtois.