Reds leave Chelsea blue

Chelsea 0 Liverpool 1

In a measure of revenge for their defeat last season at Stamford Bridge, which took Champions League football away from Anfield, Liverpool secured a hard-earned victory to revive their own fortunes.

It could have been worse for Chelsea. Everton's equaliser against Arsenal at least ensured that the Gunners are still just four points ahead of Claudio Ranieri's side.

However, Manchester United are now clear leaders, with a seven-point advantage over the Blues, after this, their fourth defeat in seven games.

Liverpool had seized the lead on 33 minutes through the unlikely figure of Bruno Cheyrou, who was picked for only his second start of the season as Michael Owen was left on the bench; and the visitors were even able to survive the late sending-off of El-Hadji Diouf.

Chances were at a premium in a largely insipid opening spell, and Chelsea were forced into a change as early as the 12th minute, when Hernan Crespo limped off to be replaced by Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Claude Makelele's persistence then teed up Joe Cole on the edge of the penalty area and his neat flick fell to Gudjohnsen, who volleyed just wide.

Liverpool were finally inspired into action, with Cheyrou just failing to take advantage as John Terry, carrying a knock, failed to cut out a cross.

It was not a mistake the French international playing just behind lone striker Heskey repeated with his next chance, two minutes later.

On this occasion, he exchanged neat flicks with Heskey before charging into the area and meeting the England international's cross with a first-time finish as Terry floundered.

Chelsea were stunned and attempted to hit back immediately with Cole and Lampard both going close, but they were still struggling to make any real impact.

Ranieri abandoned his diamond formation, moving Cole out to the left flank and restoring Lampard to the centre of a midfield quartet.

Lampard soon delivered a long-range effort from the edge of the penalty area but it was saved by Jerzy Dudek but Chelsea's approach play continued to be ponderous.

With Damien Duff still out injured, they were lacking width or penetration, so Ranieri turned to Jesper Gronkjaer instead of Cole.

The decision was not appreciated by many fans, while the absence of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink from the bench removed another possible option for the Italian.

Heskey, meanwhile, was continuing to bustle away effectively on his own, showing some aggression for once, including a foul on Gallas which earned him a booking.

Liverpool refused to buckle, even in the face of a nervous final spell as Chelsea pressed increasingly desperately for an equaliser.

Adrian Mutu headed a corner by Geremi against the face of the bar from point-blank range and was denied by a superb block at his feet by substitute keeper Luzi, who had replaced Dudek with 14 minutes left.

Liverpool were reduced to 10 men for the last three minutes as Diouf, who had earlier been booked, was shown a second yellow card for tangling with Mutu and fiercely protested his innocence before leaving the pitch.

Even though Owen never made it off the bench, his side's fortunes had still taken a dramatic turn. So too, however, had Chelsea's.

CHELSEA: Cudicini, Johnson, Gallas, Terry, Bridge, Makelele, Lampard, Cole (Gronkjaer 62), Geremi, Crespo (Gudjohnsen 12), Mutu.

LIVERPOOL: Dudek (Luzi Bernardi 77), Henchoz, Hypia, Traore, Biscan, Diouf, Murphy, Hamann, Cheyrou (Riise 77), Heskey, Kewell.

Referee: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).