The result of this first Chelsea v Liverpool clash of the season was Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool, and Liverpool thoroughly deserved the win. With Hull continuing their phenomenal form and Manchester United dropping points at Everton, Benitez's men visited Stamford Bridge knowing that if Liverpool beat Chelsea it would take them to the top of the Premiership table and give them the momentum needed for a serious title challenge.
Nobody expected Liverpool to beat Chelsea, nor for the result to be Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool if they did considering Chelsea's recent goal scoring form, but win they did. Both teams started defensively, with five across midfield, Chelsea without Drogba and Liverpool without Torres.
Goal Alonso: Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool
The wet conditions at Stamford Bridge meant that creating decent goal scoring opportunities was difficult, but Chelsea managed to make some early half-chances. However, within 10-minutes a Liverpool throw was headed by Dirk Kuyt and eventually the ball fell to the feet of Xavi Alonso on the edge of the Chelsea area. His shot was deflected off Chelsea right-back Jose Bosingwa and into the net, passed Cech who was covering Alonso's attempt. It was Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool and Benitez's men believed they could win.
However, Chelsea had an 86-game unbeaten at home record and so for Liverpool to beat Chelsea was far from certain, especially as Chelsea came from behind at Stamford Bridge to earn a draw against Manchester United earlier in the season.
Half-time: Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool
Liverpool kept on creating openings, with Steven Gerrard having a long-range shot well saved by Petr Cech on 23-minutes. Liverpool really wanted to beat Chelsea and couldn't be sure that Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool would be enough at half-time. Chelsea had chances as well, Deco notably running through the Liverpool midfield before shooting wide.
Full-time: Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool
After the break both teams stepped up a gear and the game became more open as both teams tried to improve on the Chelsa 0 - 1 Liverpool scoreline. The challenges started getting more aggressive with Ashley Cole getting visibly irrate after being booked and missing a clear-cut chance in the Liverpool penalty area when he sliced the ball well wide. Chelsea's lack of a goal scoring threat eventually forced Scolari to bring on young forwards Di Santo and Scott Sinclair.
However it was Liverpool who came closest to scoring, in the 61st minute Alonso curled a free-kick against the post with Cech completely helpless in the Chelsea goal. Alonso would have loved to score twice but was no doubt content that the game finished Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool. Benitez's men had done what no-one imagined they would do - Liverpool had managed to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The result takes Liverpool to the top of the Premiership table, Chelsea go second.
Chelsea: Cech, Cole, Terry, Carvahlo, Bosingwa (Sinclair 84), Deco, Malouda (Belletti 58), Lampard, Mikel, Kalou (Di Santo 58), Anelka
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Gerrard, Mascherano, Kuyt (Lucas 88), Reira (Hyypia 90), Keane (Babel 60)
