3 Key Talking Points From Chelsea vs Liverpool (1-0) : The Blues Need To Keep A Lid On Costa

Chelsea went through to the final of the Capital One Cup thanks to a goal from Branislav Ivanovic in extra time, which gave them a 2-1 win on aggregate. Although it finished goalless after 90 minutes, it was gripping right till the very end. Although both sides attacked with plenty of confidence and conviction, it was the two goalkeepers came out on top in a game that is likely to be remembered as the one which should have had a few red cards, but ended with 11 men on the pitch for both sides. Needing at least a goal to go through, Ivanovic’s header dented the Reds progress and erased the agony of the FA Cup exit on Saturday with the glory of a Wembley final.

Here are the major talking points from the game.

1. Chelsea need to keep a lid on Costa

For some players, aggression and intimidation is an integral part of their game. One of the main reasons why Diego Costa has fit in so seamlessly at Chelsea is due to his aggressive, all-action style of play. But there is a fine line between being aggressive and being violent, to the extent of injuring someone. Against Liverpool, Costa was treading on the wrong side of the line and that is certainly a worry for Chelsea.

Whether it was trying to con Michael Oliver into giving free kicks or getting into fights with opposing defenders, Costa put in a performance that showed just why he is hated by so many people. But his biggest crime was a blatant stamp on Emre Can in the 11th  minute, which, if the referee had noticed would have resulted in a straight red card and a three-match ban, which would have ruled him out of a crucial clash against Manchester City. He did it again in the second half on Skrtel, who, many will argue should have conceded a penalty in the first half. But the simple fact is that the Spanish striker shouldn’t have even been on the pitch and should have received two separate red cards. Costa needs to learn the difference between being passionate and plain stupid.

2. A Tale of two keepers

For all of the talk of the attacking quality  on display between the two teams, it was the two keepers who stole the show on Tuesday. At various parts of the game, both Simon Mignolet and Thibaut Courtois kept their side in the tie by making some crucial interventions. Although he has been derided for his performances so far this season, Mignolet showed just why he is still the Liverpool No.1 and outperformed his compatriot in a game that was dominated by  the men between the posts.

If the first half was dominated by Courtois, the second was dominated by his fellow Belgian. Both keepers displayed two completely different yet important facets of goalkeeping. While Courtois did make a couple of good saves in the first half, it was his command of his area that was striking about his performance. At the other end though, Mignolet gave a master class on saving with his left as he ensured that it finished nil-nil after 90 minutes. If his save from Costa’s deflected effort was good, his tackle when Costa went clean through was even better and although it was in a losing cause, it will give Mignolet plenty of confidence going forward.

3. Strange game for the referee

Often in the big games, one of the problems that referees face is the partisan nature of the home support. Far too often, referees, especially in big games tend to give into the crowd and give the home side leeway they wouldn’t otherwise get. But on Tuesday, Michael Oliver displayed none of that as he remained an impartial bystander for most of the game. He let the game flow and only booked players when absolutely necessary and didn’t fall any of the players’ theatrics.

Had Chelsea lost, Oliver would have certainly been the latest victim of Mourinho’s post-match anger as he didn’t give a couple of crucial decisions the home side’s way. With both Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson on a yellow card, Oliver’s decision to not send them off for a silly challenge and a handball respectively was surprising. Even more surprising was his decision not to award a penalty for Skrtel’s foul on Costa, which the Spaniard made a meal of. But arguably his biggest mistake was not sending Costa off. Not once, not twice, but three times for two blatant stamps and an overall desire to grapple and fight with every opponent he came in contact with. Had he sent Costa off in the 11th minute, the whole complexion of  the game would have changed and who knows, the Reds might have even capitalized on it, made it to Wembley.