Liverpool upsets Chelsea in Premiership
Last Updated: Saturday, January 20, 2007 | 4:26 PM ET
The Associated Press
Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday for the first time in 2½ years, winning 2-0 to strengthen its hold on third place and dent the Blues' title defence.
Dirk Kuyt and Jermaine Pennant scored in the first 18 minutes at Anfield to hand Chelsea its third loss this season and leave the champion six points behind leader Manchester United, which has played one game fewer.
It was Liverpool's first league win over Chelsea in six matches and the first since Rafa Benitez became manager in June 2004.
"Any victory in front of your home fans is sweet but against the champions it's that extra bit special," Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said. "Today was a massive result but it's all about the next game now, doing the same and performing the same until the end of the season."
Kuyt headed a flick on from Peter Crouch past Chelsea defender Paulo Ferreira inside the area and shot past goalkeeper Petr Cech in the fourth minute.
It was Cech's first game since he suffered a depressed skull fracture against Reading on Oct. 14, and the Czech Republic international wore a special helmet to protect his head.
Chasing Man U
Pennant then scored his first Liverpool goal to make it 2-0.
Chelsea's Michael Essien, playing in central defence rather than his usual midfield role, headed a cross from Gerrard straight to Pennant, who chested the ball down and volleyed it over Cech from outside the area.
"Liverpool defend well, they are full of confidence and they know they can be dangerous because our defensive line is fragile," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said.
Chelsea has 51 points, five more than third-place Liverpool. Manchester United has 57 and could extend its lead to nine if it wins at fourth-place Arsenal on Sunday.
"Liverpool are happy and deserve to be so because they deserved to win," Mourinho said. "But they would still prefer to change position with us, to be second and not third and to still be in all the cups."
