So I waited almost two weeks to finally watch a live Premier League match after a stay at a local hospital and which one did I having the privilege of watching? The twice annual tedious encounter between Chelsea and Liverpool, which usually ends up in a nil nil draw.

It’s a travesty to watch two teams with so much talent play a match devoid of creativity, excitement and goals. The heated rivalry between the two clubs was on display yet again with five yellow cards being awarded.

Except for a few entertaining moments, the game was an unattractive affair with the ball mostly bouncing back and forth in midfield like a pinball machine.

Liverpool, despite their current predicament, played better than I expected. Ryan Babel, especially, had a very good game playing with composure and being able to twist and turn threading his passes in midfield and down the left wing. In contrast, Steven Gerrard – I thought – had an extremely poor game especially in the first half. The accuracy of his passing was extremely poor and the England captain failed to really take the team by its horns.

While Liverpool had the chances to get the lead in the first half but failed to capitalize, the same happened to Chelsea in the second half with one shot in particular from Michael Ballack just missing the far post.

All in all, the result was a fair for both sides. However, the result shows Chelsea’s inability under Avram Grant to win matches against clubs in the big four. A win against Liverpool today would have taken the Blues just one point behind Man United after the Red Devils lost against Man City 2-1. The juggernaut at Arsenal continues to push the club forward and the north London side now finds itself two points ahead in first place.