LONDON - Chelsea captain John Terry made a goal-scoring return to action after a four-game ban on Sunday but had to be stretchered off before half-time in the Premier League fixture at home to Liverpool.
Suspended for four domestic matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in a match last season, Terry broke the deadlock at Stamford Bridge with a 20th-minute header.
It was the former England defender’s 50th goal in all competitions for the reigning European champions, but he was forced to leave the fray less than 20 minutes later.
Terry went down clutching his leg after a collision with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and was carried from the field on a stretcher in the 39th minute, with Gary Cahill coming on in his place.
Chelsea, who began the day in second place, were bidding to close to within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester United.