Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0

Title chase still on!!! After a very very frustrating January, Liverpool ended their misery with a comfortable and deservedly victory over Chelsea to leapfrog them to second. It looks as if the worst month is over but let's keep our heads down. There's no point to get hopeful in every victory just to call for Benitez's head chopped after every single unsuccessful attempt to win.

"One might be forgiven of thinking Anfield as a mental institution after recent reports!"

When in trouble, we support the manager and the team. Only then when in triumph, do we have the rights to celebrate with the manager and the team. After a month of turbulence which saw Liverpool slipping away from the top spot, a win over Chelsea surely brought back the life and belief into Liverpool. Now, Liverpool looked to be the only team capable of challenging M*n U*d. Despite commentators refusing to write off Chelsea, it is no doubt Liverpool is in a better position than Chelsea. If the victory had gone to Chelsea, I am sure everyone would have put an end to Liverpool's title hopes. Let's be fair. Liverpool have shown what they can do on their day.

With this victory, Liverpool did a double over Chelsea where the previous time saw Liverpool last lifted the league title. Why can't they do it now? People might still put Chelsea as favourites to challenge M*n U*d rather than Liverpool come May, I am one not to believe so. I have every reason to believe Liverpool are in a great position and the closest challenger to M*n U*d and probably the only team which is capable to take back the top spot from M*n U*d. In fact, I only need a reason to hold my belief strong - I am a Liverpool Football Club supporter!

Against Chelsea, Liverpool were on top throughout the match. Liverpool were on top from the first to the last minute. Despite the goals only came after Lampard was wrongfully sent off, there's no doubt it was a well deserved victory for Liverpool. On Lampard's sending off, I thought the referee has every right to give him a booking for his challenge. Yes, he was going for the ball. However, he went for it at mid air and his legs were high. If he had not reached the ball before Xabi Alonso, it would have been a definite red. I thought even with him touching the ball first, he was warranted at least a foul.

Lampard's sending off clearly opened Chelsea up for Liverpool. However, let's not forget this is how the game works. It is fair, not unfair. Let's remember the times Liverpool were robbed off a victory simply because the referees called for penalties which should not be given. At least this time, 11 against 11, Liverpool were superior to Chelsea and everyone would agree if there is to be a winner, it will be Liverpool.

"Strong together!"

Liverpool only took the lead on the 89th minute thanks the superb Fernando Torres. A moment of brilliance was all he need to put Liverpool back. After Lampard's sending off, Alex defended superbly for Chelsea. He was on the way of every ball which was struck towards their goal. However, he could do nothing against Torres' header. Liverpool worked the ball well much owing to Captain Fantastic outside the penalty area before Torres found space and leaped in front of Alex to direct the ball with his head beyond the reaching legs of Cech. A lot of blame was put on Cech for his positioning but let's not take it away from Torres who worked all his way for his first goal at Anfield in 2009.

People questioned Benitez's decision to sub off Torres against Wigan. Against Chelsea, I think we owe Benitez an apology and thank you. Torres looked sharp and fit throughout the match against Chelsea. I am sure everyone would agree he played much better than against Wigan. He was just getting his match fitness back and against Chelsea, El Nino showed he is probably back to his best. He is back to win games for Liverpool. He is back to end Liverpool's dry spell for a second goal. He is back to finish games off for Liverpool. He is back to displace M*n U*d and put Liverpool back to the place it belongs. Hopefully!

After his 89th minute goal, unlike previous games where they would show fear of attacking and concentrate on defending, Liverpool continued to pressure Chelsea and attack them on the counter whenever possible. During the match, a player who pressured the Chelsea defence whenever they had possession is Dirk Kuyt, the man who Scolari fear most. Throughout the 90 minutes plus the 5 minutes added time, Kuyt was pushing every Chelsea player on the ball into giving back the possession. It is at games like this where we truly appreciate his work rate. It showed his work rate means more than tireless legs and aimless runs. It showed his work rate is much valued by Liverpool and something Scolari was right to fear. Scolari was made into a joke and called insane by media when he said that. Well, looks like he was in the right mind after all.

"With love from Spain!"

Right at the end of the game, Liverpool scored their second again through Torres. However, this goal is very much Ashley Cole's fault for failing to control the ball better. He was robbed off the ball by Benayoun when he failed to keep the ball at his feet at the edge of his penalty area. As a result, Benayoun's effort was deflected to Torres by Cole's tackle which Torres coolly shoot into the empty net.

On the night, two goals which came late might appear pretty cruel to Chelsea. However given Liverpool's dominance throughout the 95 minutes, Liverpool deserved the score line. In fact, one would argue Liverpool should have scored more if it wasn't for Alex and if Benayoun was that little bit more accurate. Besides credit given to Benitez for his tactical genius once again and to Torres for his instinct and calmness in front of goals, Benayoun deserves a mention for the impact of his substitution. He came in and immediately caused troubles to Chelsea. Benitez used him on the left as opposed to the commentator's believe that it should either be Mascherano or Alonso out rather than Riera and Benitez was proven right for his decision. At the left side, Benayoun managed to have two great shots at goal. First, it was too close to Cech where he managed to punch the ball away and second his intelligent shot had too much power in it causing the ball to dip just above the crossbar.

With a convincing win over Chelsea, let's all hope Liverpool's believe is back within the players. With 14 games left in the league, it will be the final push towards the title. After this victory, it should instill much confidence and optimism into the team. Now on, every game would be a "must-win" and this win should help them in their confidence towards achieving that.

Keane has been sold back to Tottenham. As much as he is a Liverpool fan, he has failed to shine there. He has had his chances but failed to impress. Although it is a shame to see him go, it probably is the best thing for him and for Liverpool. I wish him the best in Tottenham. I would love to see him score goals for Tottenham like he used to. I was a fan of him then. As for Liverpool, with Keane offloaded, I guess Benitez would be playing his much trusted 4-2-3-1 line up with Gerrard playing behind Torres now on. Keane's departure probably will bring away all the pressure the team has for Benitez to play him up front with Torres. It clearly did not work too well despite the fans wanting it. I am for one glad to see him off as I am pretty sure not many would be calling Benitez to put Kuyt right behind or alongside Torres. At least now, the team can play as to how Benitez wants it without the pressure from the much-liked Robbie Keane. Despite that, I am not putting off the chance of Kuyt playing alongside or behind Torres. With Benitez, we simply never know!

Back in second, two points off M*n U*d, and with a game more than M*n U*d with Liverpool still to play M*n U*d, I am still confident this season can still be won by the Mighty Reds. It is really close this season and it is nerve-wracking. Aston Villa is a prove for the intense title race. Without a warning and without making much noise, they are now third on equal points with Chelsea. Besides that, the ones below them such as Arsenal and Everton could still chase Aston. With games between the top 6 still to come, this season can make or break for each of the teams especially the top 4 depending on the results they play against each other. Although people are putting M*n U*d as favourites followed by a slim chance for Chelsea then only Liverpool, the standing order of the odds could change magnificently if the spoilers nearby could take victories off the top 3. At the end of the day, again, I wish it is Liverpool who will emerge top. At the end of May, it might not only be Scolari which will be proven sane, Benitez might not be as crazy after all! Fight on, Reds!


"You'll Never Walk Alone"