Liverpool travelled to the fortress that is Stamford Bridge on Sunday.  A stadium where Chelsea have not lost for 86 games, since 2004.  However, by the time Liverpool left Chelsea they had put down a clear statement of intent to the rest of their title challengers and the Premier League as a whole, that this season Liverpool do have clear title ambitions.  It doesn’t look like Liverpool will be out of the running come Christmas this year, as has been so often the case in recent years.

This seems to be a different Liverpool, with a deeper resolve and a team that can finally win ugly, win when they wouldn’t have in recent recent.  But this wasn’t ugly.  Liverpool were the better team, created more chances and but for a fantastic save by Cech and Alonso hitting the post from an excellent free-kick, this victory would have been more comprehensive.  Reina in the Liverpool goal, on the other hand, had one easy catch from a Lampard header to make, otherwise he would have expended more energy getting back on the team coach than during the game.  He was a virtual spectator.  A sign as to how good Benetiz got his tactics right. Not many teams go to Stamford Bridge and do not allow Chelsea one serious attempt on target for 90 minutes.

It was Xabi Alonso that scored the only goal of the game after 10 minutes when the Spanish midfielder’s shot deflected off Jose Bosingwa and slightly wrong-footed Petr Cech.

Though there may have been an element of luck about the Reds’ winner, Rafa Benitez’s side were full value for the points after keeping Chelsea at arm’s length for much of the match.

Alonso almost grabbed a second when his free-kick struck the base of the post, while Ashley Cole sliced his shot wide from Chelsea’s best chance of the game.

After the game Benitez very much wanted to put the message out that Liverpool must remain calm and keep on winning. Without that beating Chelsea will mean nothing. Click the following link to here what Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez said after Liverpool beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Meanwhile over in North London, as reported earlier on The Soccer Blog, Tottenham had sacked their manager Juande Ramos late on Saturday night, but it clearly had no negative effect on morale after a 2-0 success over Bolton at White Hart Lane.

With Ramos’ replacement Harry Redknapp spending most of the game in the dug-out, Spurs secured a welcome win as Roman Pavlyuchenko scored his first Premier League goal.

Spurs made the breakthrough on 17 minutes when David Bentley swung in a cross from the right and Pavlyuchenko guided his header inside the upright.

Bolton’s prospects of getting back into the game were dealt a blow on 56 minutes when Gavin McCann was sent off for a second booking after the midfielder fouled Tom Huddlestone.

And the Trotters contributed further to their own demise on 76 minutes when Jussi Jaaskelainen’s clumsy challenge on Darren Bent allowed the striker to score from the penalty spot.

I wonder what poor old Ramos is thinking?  Would Spurs have won this game if he had still been in charge? Of course we will never know.  Although a dream start for Harry Redknapp, one thing he will know, is that there is still a hell of a lot of work to be done at White Hart Lane and he has got a massive job on.  However, come Christmas, I think you’ll see a different team at the bottom of the Premier League table.

Arsenal continue to keep pace with the leaders after striking twice in the final 15 minutes at West Ham United as Portsmouth were held 1-1 at home by Fulham. Emmanuel Adebayor had a decisive impact from the bench as Arsenal won 2-0 at West Ham, who finished the match with 10 men.  Carlton Cole was sent off.  The Hammers striker looked to be harshly dismissed by referee Phil Dowd for a foul on Alexandre Song.  A certain booking but very harsh red.

The introduction of the Togo striker Adebayor was a turning point in the game. Up until then West Ham had been quite comfortable.  Shortly after the West Ham defender Faubert made a absolute howler to put the ball past his own goalkeeper, Green, who up until that point had looked like he couldn’t be beaten, at least not by an Arsenal player.

Then in the first minute of stoppage time, a truly brilliant pass from Nicklas Bendtner sent Adebayor clear and he rounded the onrushing Robert Green before steering the ball into an unguarded net.

Portsmouth started life without Harry Redknapp by being held to a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park by Fulham.  Redknapp’s former assistants Tony Adams and Joe Jordan sent out a Pompey team which took a 61st minute lead through Peter Crouch’s finish after he was set up by strike partner Jermain Defoe.

However, Fulham snatched a point three minutes from time when Clint Dempsey steered home unmarked from fellow substitute Erik Nevland’s cross.

Brazilian sensation Robinho struck a hat-trick as Manchester City proved too strong for Stoke City, while Aston Villa were in formidable form in crushing Wigan Athletic away from home.Manchester City moved back into the top half of the table after a Robinho-driven 3-0 win over promoted Stoke.

Record signing Robinho put City ahead on 14 minutes with a low finish inside Thomas Sorensen’s near post following a clever pass by Ched Evans.

The young striker was replaced by Daniel Sturridge just before half-time and the substitute played a key role in City’s second goal two minutes after the break as his run and cross teed up Robinho for his second of the match.

Robinho completed his hat-trick on 72 minutes when he passed the ball into the net from the edge of the area after being intelligently played in by Sturridge following a quick City break.

Aston Villa followed up victory over Ajax in the Uefa Cup on Thursday with an emphatic 4-0 triumph at struggling Wigan.

Villa were in front midway through the first half when Gareth Barry tucked away a perfect penalty after Titus Bramble had brought down Gabriel Agbonlahor.

There was a spot of fortune about Villa’s second on 57 minutes when John Carew’s header ricocheted in off Agbonlahor, who knew little about the decisive touch.

Just five minutes later, Villa had made it 3-0 following good work down the left by Agbonlahor and his cross was headed home from close range by the towering Carew.

Substitute Steve Sidwell marked his Premier League debut for Villa with a fourth goal in injury-time as he smashed a fierce shot into the top corner after James Milner’s flicked pass inside.

Cheers

Rik

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