Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea are now just three points away from the Premier League title after a comfortable win at Anfield against Liverpool.

In what was expected to be a tough test of Chelsea's title credentials, the Blues - buoyed by their destruction of Stoke last weekend - overcame their northern opponents to maintain their lead at the Premier League summit.

Didier Drogba capitalised on a horrendous back-pass by Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard to give the visitors a lead at the interval before Frank Lampard sealed a historic victory with a simple finish from a Nicolas Anelka cross.

And but for the inspired Pepe Reina, Liverpool would have found themselves on the wrong end of another Chelsea mauling as the Blues cruised in relative comfort to three massive points as they continue their hunt for their first Premier League title since 2006.

The only disappointment on a day of triumph for Carlo Ancelotti's men was Manchester United's 1-0 win at Sunderland which ensures the title race will go to the wire - and Chelsea must now beat Wigan to be guaranteed of title success in the Italian's first year in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Confidence was high in the Chelsea camp ahead of this key fixture in the race for the title following their incredible 7-0 win over Stoke just seven days before, but Anfield had proved an unhappy hunting ground for the Blues many times in the past.

Besides a 3-1 triumph in the Champions League last season, Chelsea had failed to leave Merseyside with a victory over Liverpool since a 4-1 demolition of Rafael Benitez' side under José Mourinho back in 2005.

And that was the last time Chelsea had won the Premier League; with the Portuguese tactician overseeing a crucial double over their rivals in both of their title-winning campaigns. Anything other than a similar story and Chelsea would have let their lead slip - but there was to be no mistake from a professional, efficient Blues side.

With influential captain John Terry returning from suspension, Paulo Ferreira returned to the bench, whilst Salomon Kalou's hat-trick last week kept Joe Cole out of the starting eleven. Liverpool were without talisman Fernando Torres and defender Martin Skrtel, but Maxi Rodriguez returned to make his third appearance this term against the Blues.

Chelsea started brightly and went close after just 35 seconds when Lampard blasted wide, but Liverpool responded in kind by winning a succession of corners that were subsequently cleared.

Reina was brought into action with tame efforts from both Anelka and Malouda before Alberto Aquilani clipped the top of the bar with a long-range effort that had Petr Cech beaten. It was an early warning to Chelsea that their hosts would not simply roll over.

But as the game reached a lull in proceedings, conspiracy theorists will have had a field-day when Steven Gerrard inexplicably played the ball back towards goal without looking. The lurking Drogba duly pounced; rounded Reina and slotted home his 33rd goal of an incredible campaign for the Ivorian.

Lampard then came to the fore with confidence flowing through both his veins and his teammates, and only the faintest of deflections from Sotiris Kyrgiakos took the ball wide of Reina's post.

Moments later the England star played the ball to Nicolas Anelka, who was denied at the last by another sturdy block by Kyrgiakos, who was proving to be a tough obstacle to break down at the heart of the Liverpool back four.

Chelsea might have had a 2-0 lead at half-time but for the inadequacies of the officials, who failed to spot a blatant foul by Lucas as Kalou stole in on goal. One-on-one with Reina, Kalou's thigh was caught by Lucas' trailing leg and the player went down - but no penalty was awarded.

Ancelotti was incensed and rightly so - replays showed it was a clear spot-kick, and John Terry was quick to point out to the referee that Kalou had no reason to dive being through one-on-one.

Kalou continued to cause Liverpool no end of problems in the second half, and his touchline jig saw him lose the attentions of Mascherano before he squared across the face of goal. Any touch from Anelka would have sealed the win, but Kalou's cross was just slightly over hit and the Frenchman could not poke home.

However Chelsea's next venture into the box would not be so wasteful, as Drogba's magnificent flick allowed Anelka to pick out Lampard who tucked the ball home to secure a massive, monumental three points. All ten of Chelsea's outfield players celebrated with one another near the visiting fans whilst Petr Cech calmly beat the badge with his fist.

Alex then came to Chelsea's rescue as Liverpool sub Ryan Babel broke through but the former-PSV man made a crucial interception. At the other end, Malouda's superb volley was stopped equally as brilliantly by Reina, who was keeping a speck of credibility to the scoreline.

All of that came after Reina had made a smart stop to deny Anelka a goal against his former employers, and the keeper then made a good double-save to deny Anelka and then Kalou.

It was a subdued atmosphere inside Anfield; only the travelling contingent could be heard as Chelsea played out the final twenty minutes in relative comfort; Liverpool having to wait until the 92nd minute to register their first shot on target.

Dirk Kuyt lost the attentions of Alex but his skipping shot was well held by Cech, who had done well to stay awake and alert at his near post. Ballack had moments earlier come close to increasing the divide between the two teams but his freekick was palmed away by Reina.

Nevertheless the necessary had already been done as Chelsea took a massive stride towards the title. It's still theirs to lose, but who would bet against them now?

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Liverpool: Reina [7]; Mascherano [4], Carragher [6] (Ayala 56 [5]), Kyrgiakos [6], Agger [6]; Lucas [4], Gerrard © [5]; Maxi Rodriguez [5] (Babel 42 [4]), Aquilani [5] (N'Gog 76 [4]), Benayoun [5]; Kuyt [6]

Chelsea: Cech [6]; Ivanovic [7], Alex [7], Terry © [7], A Cole [7]; Lampard [8], Ballack [6], Malouda [6]; Anelka [8] (J Cole 90+1 [5]), Drogba [6], Kalou [8] (Zhirkov 87 [5])

The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea's number 39 - Nicolas ANELKA