The loss leaves the Rafa Benitez' men six points behind their title rivals as the Blues return to the top of the English Premier League. Meanwhile Liverpool's third defeat of the campaign after only eight matches leaves them with little margin for error.
Drogba the Difference Between the Sides
The Reds matched Chelsea all over the pitch and for the most part the teams cancelled each other out. At the end of the day, Didier Drogba was the difference between the two sides. First he used his pace with a penetrating run to accurately cross for Nicholas Anelka to open the scoring on the hour mark, then his strength to turn Jamie Carragher and cut the ball back for Florent Malouda to tap in at the death. Though it was an evenly contested encounter, Chelsea deserved the three points.
For all Liverpool's possession and patient probing, the Chelsea defence dealt comfortably with everything that was thrown at them. Liverpool only got in behind the back on two occasions. Steven Gerrard broke into the box and would surely have scored but for a last ditch tackle by Ashley Cole. Then, in the dying moments, with only the grounded keeper to beat, Yossi Benayoun inexplicably screwed his shot beyond the far upright.
But the home side always looked the more likely to break the deadlock. Their slick movement and inventive passing looked capable of opening up the Liverpool's rearguard. Michael Ballack and Deco were instrumental early on and though the former almost exploited Liverpool's vulnerability at set-pieces with a near post header, Carragher and co. were coping admirably.
Until the hour mark when Drogba exploited the void left by the forward venturing Glen Johnson after Javier Mascherano lost the ball just inside the Chelsea half. Martin Skertl should have got closer to the Ivory Coast International to put him under pressure, but Drogba was afforded the time to calmly slip the ball in between the keeper and the defenders for Anelka to steer home on the half volley.
Ancelotti Gets Tactics Spot On
The goal inspired the visitors more than the home side, but try as they might to find an equaliser they couldn't produce a final ball to penetrate Chelsea solid back line. Albert Riera and Gerrard both tested Henrique Hilario, filling in for the suspended Petr Cech, but the Chelsea stopper was equal to it. Fernando Torres had a couple of good chances to level but squandered both. Chelsea boss, Carlo Ancelotti had got his tactics right: Keep Gerrard and Torres quiet. And so it proved again, when the occasion called for it, no other Liverpool player could step up to the bar and produce the goods.
As for Benitez' tactics, he didn't too much wrong. Some will argue he should have started with Benayoun rather than Riera. Maybe they are right, but Riera seems more willing to take defenders on these days and didn't have a bad game, and Benayoun is a better impact substitute against tired legs. There wasn't much more Benitez could have done. The rest was down to his players and they let him down. The fact of the matter was plain to see: Liverpool lack strength in depth and are a couple of players short of a title winning team.
The day belonged to Chelsea and the Premier League crown may just be theirs for the taking.
