LONDON: Chelsea returned to form with a powerful 2-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge to move two points clear at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.
Second-half goals from French duo Nicolas Anelka and substitute Florent Malouda settled an absorbing contest high on commitment but lacking in clear-cut chances.
Chelsea, who suffered their first defeat of the season at Wigan last weekend before an unconvincing Champions League victory in Cyprus, moved to 21 points, two clear of champions Manchester United who drew 2-2 with Sunderland on Saturday.
Liverpool, who have now lost three league games compared with only two defeats last season, slipped out of the top four behind Arsenal.
West Ham United needed a late equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw at home to 10-man Fulham but they remained in the relegation zone while Everton drew 1-1 at home with Stoke City.
Ancellotti demanded an improvement and he got it, although the Italian would have been concerned when Liverpool dominated the opening 10 minutes with crisp passing.
Liverpool, also needing a quick response after a shabby midweek Champions League defeat by Fiorentina, failed to test Chelsea’s second-choice keeper Hilario until six minutes from halftime when Fernando Torres headed straight at the Portuguese. Chelsea had taken a grip on proceedings by then with Michael Essien stamping his authority in midfield.
Anelka had Chelsea’s first chance but could not direct a header past Jose Reina from an Essien cross and Michael Ballack headed wastefully over from a pinpoint Deco delivery.
Chelsea’s opener after 60 minutes came from an unlikely source. The usually miserly Javier Mascherano squandered possession to Frank Lampard in the centre circle and the ball was moved quickly to Deco and on to Didier Drogba who crossed for Anelka to stab his third league goal of the season.
Liverpool searched for an equaliser and Torres scuffed their best chance wide before Chelsea sealed victory late on when Drogba squared for Malouda to finish from close range.
Results:
Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0
Everton 1 Stoke City 1
West Ham United 2 Fulham 2
Arsenal 6 Blackburn Rovers 2. — Reuters
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