Liverpool beat Chelsea 5–2 at Stamford Bridge on 16 December 1989, with Ian Rush scoring twice and Peter Beardsley, Ray Houghton and Steve McMahon also on target. They remained second in the First Division, two points behind Arsenal.
Chelsea had conceded nine goals in their previous two league matches. Their five-man defence again offered little protection to Dave Beasant: Beardsley scored after three minutes and Rush chipped the goalkeeper two minutes later.
Gordon Durie brought Chelsea back into the match with a free-kick after Alan Hansen fouled Kerry Dixon. Liverpool’s third came from a move that began at the other end. Beardsley found McMahon, who passed to Rush; his square ball gave Houghton the finish and Liverpool a 3–1 half-time lead.
Beasant saved Jan Mølby’s penalty early in the second half after Graham Roberts brought down Beardsley. The reprieve was brief. Beardsley released McMahon, who chipped Beasant for the fourth.
Rush added a header from Gary Ablett’s cross with just over ten minutes left. Dixon’s late reply completed the scoring, but Chelsea had conceded fourteen goals in three successive league defeats.