CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Liverpool v Chelsea 21/09/96 3.00

Liverpool               (3) 5 Chelsea                 (0) 1 FT
Fowler 15                     Leboeuf 85 (pen)
Berger 42,49                  
Myers 45 (og)                 
Barnes 57

Patrik Berger celebrated his first start for Liverpool with a double blast in this goal feast, as Chelsea were beaten for the first time this season.

Manager Ruud Gullit was left shaking his head in disbelief after seeing his expensive side ripped apart.

Berger was called into the team in place of Stan Collymore, who was relegated to the substitute bench.

The Czech Republic star had scored twice on Sunday in the 3-0 victory against Leicester, and followed that with two more goals in an international against Malta in mid-week.

Today he was back in the mood scoring twice again, although some of Chelsea's wounds were self inflicted.

Italian star Gianluca Vialli and French centre-half Frank Leboeuf returned to the team after missing the Coca-Cola Cup victory at Blackpool in mid-week because of minor injuries.

But they were unable to halt the Liverpool steamroller with the opening goal coming after just 15 minutes.

Stig Bjornebye drove in a marvellous cross and Robbie Fowler headed the ball powerfully home in front of watching England boss Glenn Hoddle.

Berger opened his account three minutes before half time after Dominic Matteo had won the ball and raced on. He released Berger, who rounded keeper Kevin Hitchcock, for a clinical finish.

Chelsea conceded a third goal in bizarre circumstances right on the stroke of half time. Bjornebye drove in another driving cross and this time there seemed little danger.

However defender Andy Myers tried to deliver a cushioned header to keeper Hitchcock only to power it into the corner beyond his reach.

Myers was replaced by Michael Duberry at the start of the second half but Chelsea couldn't plug the gaps. Berger scored his second after 48 minutes when Wise carelessly lost possession and the £3million buy from Borussia Dortmund raced on to steer the ball home.

Chelsea, had lost the plot completely and Vialli was one of seven players booked as the game threatened to turn ugly.

Liverpool skipper John Barnes added a fifth after 57 minutes when his 20-yard shot seemed to take a deflection off the unfortunate Wise.

Berger almost had a hat-trick, Hitchcock making a good block from his fierce drive.

Manager Roy Evans then replaced him with Jamie Redknapp with 12 minutes to go and he was given a standing ovation by the crowd.

Chelsea got a consolation goal five minutes from the end when Leboeuf scored from the penalty spot after Mark Wright was penalised for a challenge on Mark Hughes.