César Azpilicueta unequivocal with his take on Sadio Mane elbow

Mane then opened the scoring for Liverpool

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane somehow escaped a red card just 15 seconds into his side's draw with Chelsea, after elbowing César Azpilicueta in the face. The Senegalese attacker jumped to head the ball straight from kick-off, but he ended up elbowing the Chelsea defender as he jumped into the air. Chelsea's players and fans were calling for Mane to be sent-off, however, referee Anthony Taylor opted for a yellow card instead.

Sadio Mane makes Chelsea pay

Mane made the most of the decision as he opened the scoring for the away side, capitalising on Trevoh Chalobah's defensive mistake. The young defender attempted to head a low cross, but actually ended up allowing Liverpool's No 1o to round Edouard Mendy and smash the ball into the net. Many football fans took to social media to question how the former Southampton man wasn't sent-off for his early challenge. https://twitter.com/gunnerpunner/status/1477682440235855874   https://twitter.com/MisterTowle2/status/1477686243706212354   https://twitter.com/pops095/status/1477679651644395522   https://twitter.com/noelmickedy/status/1477679286723448832

'It is a clear red,' says César Azpilicueta

Prior to scoring the opener against the Blues, Mane had gone nine games without a goal for Liverpool. However, he showed his composure to round Mendy in the Chelsea goal and give the Reds the lead. Liverpool made it 2-0 when Mohamed Salah calmly slotted past Mendy after a stunning pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Chelsea drew level through Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic, and the game ended 2-2. Following the match,

"It's a clear red," the Spaniard told Sky Sports. "It doesn't matter if it was only five seconds into the game - that action is a red. "He doesn't want to challenge, he doesn't see the ball. He just wants to hit with the elbow. I honestly don't understand."

https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1477711163353968642 The result leaves Chelsea 10 points back from league leaders Manchester City, while Liverpool [albeit with a game in hand] are a point further back. Related links:

• Romelu Lukaku ‘texts former teammate’ with cryptic update on his Chelsea future
• Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta clash on touchline after Sadio Mane challenge
• Jamie Carragher says Sadio Mane could make Liverpool’s all time best XI

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