There were not many clubs that were busier in the summer of 2003 than Chelsea.
The team from down the King's Road in London had recently been taken over by Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, who had provided manager Claudio Ranieri with the funds to recruit a host of new players.
Five of them made their full debuts at Anfield against Liverpool a decade ago today with a lot of expectation on their shoulders.
However, it was one of their old guard - goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini that kept in the game during the opening exchanges with a string of saves, including a brilliant stop to deny Danny Murphy.
Then, having done very little so far, the away side broke the deadlock with 24 minutes played courtesy of one of the new additions. Jesper Gronkjaer picked out £15m man Juan Sebastian Veron, who benefited from a slip by Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz to beat Jerzy Dudek with a powerful shot.
The Londoners created the better of the chances during the second half, but it appeared that they would have to settle for a share of the spoils when Michael Owen scored an equaliser 14 minutes from time in controversial circumstances.
The England striker saw his first penalty fly wide of the target, but referee Steve Bennett ordered a retake as Cudcini had encroached off his line. Chelsea were bemused by the decision, but Owen kept his cool the second time around to find the net.
Ranieri's men responded with three minutes left to play, though, to claim all three points. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who had replaced Eidur Gudjohnsen and was playing for his Stamford Bridge future, collected a pass from Frank Lampard, before firing the ball beyond the reach of Dudek, much to the delight of the club's new owner sitting in the stands.
Liam Apicella
