Redknapp's strike grabs Reds' points

A dramatic last minute strike by young midfielder Jamie Redknapp gave Liverpool victory against stunned Chelsea.

Welsh international striker Dean Saunders had marked his possible Liverpool swansong with a fine opening goal only to see Chelsea's Mick Harford snatch a second half equaliser.

Saunders was also involved in an early clash which left Chelsea central defender Paul Elliott in hospital.

Liverpool and Aston Villa are haggling over a fee for the 28-year-old Welshman who could have added to his first league goal of the season in an impressive performance. Saunders was fouled wide on the left by defender David Lee and when Jan Molby floated in the resulting free-kick Saunders rose to deflect the ball into the far top corner with a deft header after 27 minutes.

Chelsea equalised after 72 minutes, Eddie Newton releasing Robert Fleck down the left. When Fleck beat Rob Jones and crossed, Vinnie Jones failed to connect but the ball ran on to Harford who drilled it home at the far post.

But with a minute left Liverpool substitute Mark Walters jinked his way past three defenders down the right flank before turning the ball across the face of the Chelsea goal for Redknapp to turn it home.

Chelsea had lost Elliott when he challenged Saunders on the halfway line. The Welshman appeared to catch Elliott's knee with his boot though Liverpool won the eventual free-kick. Elliott was carried off after a four minute hold up and taken to hospital with expected knee ligament damage.

Said Chelsea manager Ian Porterfield: "We don't know how serious it is but obviously it is a big blow to us. He is a very important player. He's been a tower of strength to us ever since he joined us from Glasgow Celtic, and I don't think there's anyone better than him in central defence anywhere in the country. I think Saunders came down on top of him and there was a scratch on his leg. I was a bit surprised the referee gave the free kick against us."

But he did not blame the Welshman for the incident and added: "These things happen in football and it's a man's game."

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