Football: `When I scored I knew they were worried'

Ruud Gullit, the Chelsea manager, admitted that his side had almost gifted Liverpool victory before turning on a second-half display that followed his inturctions to the letter.

"The first-half goals were a present, we gave them away. We had no concentration and they played it simple," he said. "But in the second half we adapted our tactics and the players did exactly what I asked them to do. They were great. I was surprised also, but they really did the business.

"We put Di Matteo on Barnes and that was the most significant thing. But this was an easy game, in a way, because you are motivated, it's a great club and you have the crowd behind you."

Eddie Newton, the Chelsea midfielder, said: "Ruud said to give it all we had in the first 15 minutes of the second half to try to get a goal as soon as possible. Fortunately we did."

Mark Hughes, who sparked the revival after replacing Scott Minto, at half time, said: "When I scored I could tell Liverpool were worried."