Premier League champions Chelsea scored early and held on to beat Liverpool in a lackluster 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
John Terry scored with a header in the fourth minute, but Steven Gerrard answered it by scoring with his noggin before halftime.
Liverpool is now six points back of No. 4 Manchester United with two matches to play, and needs to win both and see an improbable Red Devils collapse to finish Top Four.
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Raheem Sterling went down after just a half-minute on a challenge that earned Cesc Fabregas a yellow card.
Terry out-leapt Rickie Lambert to nod home a goal in the 5th minute, and Chelsea were off to an ideal start.
Philippe Coutinho countered with a deflected offering moments later, and Liverpool earned a corner that led to nothing.
It was a Chelsea-run half, but Liverpool found an equalizer just before halftime when Gerrard went unmarked near the backpost and nodded in a Jordan Henderson set piece (Watch it here).
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The second half started slowly, with a lack of real chances for either side before Willian zipped a shot that Simon Mignolet tipped out. A goal kick was awarded.
Nemanja Matic came on for youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek after an hour. The 19-year-old fared well:
Ruben Loftus-Cheek completed 100% of the 27 passes he attempted vs. Liverpool. Impressive full debut by the big man. pic.twitter.com/9Qcxfprj2C
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 10, 2015
Fabregas walked his way toward the 18 for a 74th minute opportunity, but his bouncing shot was scooped up by Mignolet. Liverpool threatened a bit more with the introduction of Jordon Ibe, but ultimately the game provided very little late.
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LINEUPS
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma (Cahill, 35′), Terry, Filipe Luis; Mikel, Loftus-Cheek (Matic, 60′); Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Remy (Cuadrado, 84′).
Goal: Terry (5′)
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Lovren, Skrtel, Can, Gerrard (Lucas, 79′), Coutinho, Henderson, Lallana (Ibe, 72′), Sterling, Lambert (Sinclair, 68′).
Goal: Gerrard (44′)