LIVERPOOL, CUP HOLDERS AND PRESENT LEADERS OF THE FIRST DIVISION, SUFFERED A SHOCK DEFEAT BY CHELSEA IN THE THIRD ROUND OF THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CUP TODAY (SATURDAY). LIVERPOOL WENT DOWN TO THE LONDON SIDE BY ONE GOAL TO TWO, ON THEIR OWN GROUND, AFTER THEMSELVES TAKING THE LEAD IN THE FIRST 90 SECONDS.

THE CROWD OF 55,000, MOST OF THEM LIVERPOOL SUPPORTERS, ROARED WHEN INSIDE-RIGHT ROGER HUNT FIRED IN A GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL AFTER ONLY 90 SECONDS. BUT, FIVE MINUTES LATER, CHELSEA WERE LEVEL WHEN 19-YEAR-OLD CENTRE-FORWARD PETER OSGOOD, PLAYING IN HIS FIRST FA CUP GAME, HEADED THE BALL INTO THE NET.

THE GAME THEN DEVELOPED INTO A THRILLING BATTLE. CHELSEA, DETERMINED TO AVENGE THEMSELVES AGAINST THE SAME ELEVEN THAT KNOCKED THEM OUT OF THE CONTEST IN THE SEMI-FINAL LAST YEAR, THRUST HARD.

BUT IT WAS TO BE IN THE SECOND HALF -- AFTER 67 MINUTES - THAT THEY WERE TO SCENT SUCCESS. CHELSEA GOALKEEPER BONETTI WENT UP TO CATCH THE BALL AND SEND IT DOWNFIELD, AND STARTED A COUNTER ATTACK THAT WAS TO TAKE THE CHELSEA TEAM SPRINTING DOWN TO THE OTHER GOALMOUTH. THERE, INSIDE-RIGHT GRAHAM CENTRED ACCURATELY, DIRECTLY TO THE HEAD OF LEFT-WINGER TAMBLING, WHO PROMPTLY GUIDED THE BALL UNDER THE BAR.