McManaman signs off 1995 in style

Two-goal Steve McManaman sent Liverpool into 1996 on the back of a five-match unbeaten month after this Stamford Bridge thriller. The England midfielder conjured a double reply to deny rival John Spencer the pleasure of snatching a New Year's weekend win for Chelsea.

The dramatic climax saw both players denied hat-trick chances, Spencer by a post and McManaman by Dmitri Kharine's fingertip save. On reflection, both sides should feel that a share of the spoils was a fair verdict after an encounter that went ahead on a perfectly-prepared pitch.

And the fans -- it was Chelsea's best gate of the season -- were the real winners thanks to the under-soil heating and some sizzling performances on it.

Liverpool arrived in celebratory mood, the injured Ian Rush having landed an MBE in the New Year Day Honours and his club seeking a fourth straight victory. But they were shaken after nine minutes when Spencer volleyed the first of his goals, a superbly-executed effort from eight yards after Dan Petrescu had provided the cross. McManaman, however, always looked likely to have a major say in the outcome of a lively confrontation, setting up a couple of equalising chances for Robbie Fowler before taking matters into his own hands after 33 minutes.

There was a suspicion of hand-ball against Fowler when Jason McAteer swung over the cross from the right but there was no mistaking the class of finish from McManaman, who fired past Kharine from 15 yards. It was McManaman's first goal in 13 games but Liverpool's expectations of a level half-time were to receive a rude awakening.

Chelsea, who had been happy to protect their lead, were now committed to regaining it and David James was called into action twice in quick succession before Spencer rifled his second of the game. It was Eddie Newton who created the opening, Spencer holding off John Scales and Steve Harkness before squeezing a low shot inside the far post.

Once again, Chelsea were happy to concede space and possession to Liverpool after the interval, concentrating on getting men behind the ball. Liverpool's frustration surfaced with bookings for defenders Mark Wright and John Scales for fouls on the diminuitive Spencer while their shooting was mostly from long range.

Kharine was asked to tip over a drive from Mike Thomas after 70 minutes but he was well beaten six minutes later. Stan Collymore found McManaman, who deliberately aimed a shot between Kharine and his left hand post. It set up a thrilling last 15 minutes, Spencer coming desperately close to Chelsea's first League hat-trick for six years when he turned and fired a 78th-minute shot which hit the bottom of a post.

Four minutes later McManaman was denied and the midfielder was at it again in the closing seconds when Kharine bravely smothered at his feet. In between, other chances fell Chelsea's way, Dennis Wise somehow failing to make contact with a cross from Gullit who five minutes later found himself unmarked in front of goal. Gullit failed to make full contact and James made a fine reflex save.

Liverpool manager Roy Evans tonight paid tribute to his side for their December transformation. The Merseysiders ended the month unbeaten in five matches after their 2-2 draw at Chelsea -- a massive improvement on November when they took only one point from four Premiership games.

"We have performed well in December -- a lot better than November! We have shown character, even more so today in a difficult game," said Evans. "We have never done really well at Chelsea and a point keeps us in there. I hope we can get something from the rest of our away games between now and the end of the season. We defended quite poorly in the first half and had to chase the game from an early stage. But there are no complaints about the spirit. Steve McManaman's two goals were a bit overdue and will be good for his confidence. I have no complaints about the result -- Dennis Wise missed a sitter for Chelsea."

Wise, only a couple of yards out, failed to convert a centre from Ruud Gullit after 84 minutes. But in truth, the result could have gone either way. Chelsea boss Glenn Hoddle said: "Both sides probably felt they did enough to win it. They had more possession but we had the better chances. Defensively we kept them at bay and Dennis had a great chance at the end. So we are disappointed in that sense, but all in all it was a smashing game. It was always going to be difficult. Liverpool have gone to places like Newcastle and played them off the park. They are the best passing side in the country and a good side to watch."

The main controversy surrounded Liverpool's first equaliser when Robbie Fowler appeared to handle the ball from Jason McAteer's cross before McManaman scored. "We certainly felt there could have been a handball. We appealed for it from the bench," said Hoddle.

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