Anelka 60

Chelsea took their turn at the top of the EPL table when two second-half goals overcame a below-par Liverpool side.

The Reds welcomed back Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano after his absence was thought a contributory factor in their midweek Champions League reversal in Florence.

But, ironically, it was a Mascherano mistake which led directly to Chelsea’s opener.

The match was billed as a contest between the Premier League’s in-form strikers, Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Liverpool’s Fernando Torres.

And their fates defined the game, Drogba creating both Chelsea goals, in-between a series of outrageous dives at the hint of contact from any defender, while Torres was a largely peripheral figure.

Chances were at a premium in a tight first-half. Nicolas Anelka and Michael Essien had efforts well-saved by Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.

And at the other end, a long-range Albert Riera free-kick nearly deceived an unsighted Henrique Hilario, deputising for the suspended Petr Cech.

From the corner Drogba appeared to impede Martin Skrtel as he tried to jump for the ball. But referee Martin Atkinson waved away all penalty appeals.

Chelsea broke the deadlock on the hour mark.

Frank Lampard dispossessed Mascherano and Drogba broke clear down the left before sending in a magnificent far-post cross which left Anelka with a relatively straightforward close range left-foot finish.

Liverpool responded with a tad more urgency but failed to seriously threaten the Chelsea goal until Torres shinned a good chance wide after a blocked Gerrard shot fell to him inside the area.

And in stoppage time, Drogba stayed on his feet, for a change, under pressure from Jamie Carragher before crossing from the by-line to set up Malouda’s tap-in at the near post.

Substitute Yossi Benayoun wasted Liverpool’s best chance shortly afterwards, tricking Hilario in