Chelsea memories: League title 1986
As part of our build-up to Saturday's FA Cup final clash at Wembley, we take a look back at some of our most famous victories over Chelsea and we continue with a Kenny Dalglish strike that clinched the Reds the title at Stamford Bridge.
Under the inspirational guidance of player-manager Dalglish, the Reds overcame the challenge of reigning league champions Everton to capture a 16th championship crown, 26 years ago today.
And fittingly it was King Kenny's goal that clinched the title at Stamford Bridge on May 3. With the title secured, Liverpool stood on the threshold of their first league and FA Cup double when they walked out at Wembley for the FA Cup final against Everton the following week.
The Reds were rampant in the run-in to their league campaign winning 10 out of 11 games, conceding just three goals and dishing out 5-0 hidings to Coventry and Birmingham at Anfield. The final day of the season pitted them against John Hollins' Chelsea at the Bridge and Dalglish's men needed a win to seal the title.
And on 23 minutes he fired them into the lead. Ghosting in behind the home side's back four, he chested down Jim Beglin's clever flick and guided the ball past 'keeper Tony Godden to score one of the most iconic goals in Liverpool history.
Dalglish explained the build-up to the all-important strike in his autobiogrpahy 'My Liverpool Home'.
"When Chelsea's 'keeper saved from Gary Gillespie, Rushie and Craig Johnston organised a short-corner routine. Chelsea managed to clear but Ronnie Whelan nocked the ball back in and Jim Beglin flicked it to me.
"Taking the ball on my chest, I let it drop and then caught it full on the volley. It could easily have gone in the enclosure but fortunately it flew past Godden."
Alan Hansen, who picked up his first league title as Liverpool captain on the day, said: "It was one of the great days. We had a horrific away record at Chelsea and when the fixtures came out at the start of that season everybody was saying, 'imagine us having to go to Chelsea on the final day and win the championship', which of course is what happened.
"When Everton beat us at Anfield, we were 13 points behind them and then we came up with this incredible run. We went to Chelsea and our confidence was high.
"It was typical Dalglish, taking the ball on his chest and the next thing it's in the back of the net. To win the championship in his first season as player-manager, especially after being so many points behind at one stage, was terrific."
