Liverpool go top

Steven Gerrard (right) limped off in the first half

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea
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Vladimir Smicer scored a dramatic injury-time goal to send Liverpool to the top of the Premiership.

The Reds had turned in a sluggish performance before the Czech international struck late on to seal three points.

The result was tough on Chelsea who had created the better chances and rarely looked in trouble.

  Key incidents

26 mins: Hasselbaink volleys over the crossbar from six yards.

28 mins: Gerrard comes off with a groin strain.

57 mins: Owen comes on for Xavier.

90 mins: Smicer scores to send Liverpool top of the table.

In contrast, Gerard Houllier's side looked tired after the exertions of their dramatic midweek win over Roma in the Champions League.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson watched a largely tepid contest from the stands and will have been concerned to see Steven Gerrard come off injured after half an hour.

The Liverpool midfielder strained his groin stretching for a tackle and limped off to be replaced by Smicer.

Chelsea controlled the first half and Danish winger Jesper Gronjkaer was an excellent outlet for them on the left wing.

He created the game's first chance early on, breaking down the right before sending a superb cross behind Liverpool centre-halves Stephane Henchoz and Sami Hyypia.

You never give up hope with this team

Phil Thompson
Liverpool assistant manager

Eidur Gudjohnsen slid in to connect with the ball but could only send it wide of the post.

Chelsea's normally lethal front man Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink then had the chance of the half.

A Mario Stanic effort rebounded to him after being brilliantly saved by Jerzy Dudek, but the Dutchman volleyed wildly over from only six yards.

Liverpool were relying on balls over the top and their front two of Emile Heskey and Nicolas Anelka were comfortably marshalled by Chelsea's French central defensive duo of Marcel Desailly and William Gallas.

The home side improved dramatically after the interval. Houllier brought on England star Michael Owen and Liverpool began to look more potent in attack.

I think we deserved something - we played very well and had three good chances to win the match

Claudio Ranieri
Chelsea manager

Yet Chelsea still looked comfortable and were threatening on the break. Hasselbaink found himself one-on-one with Dudek near the end, but scooped his shot onto the roof of the net.

The visitors looked sure to gain at least a point until the dramatic late intervention of substitute Smicer.

Heskey broke down the left and crossed to the Czech midfielder, who volleyed first time past Carlo Cudicini from 12 yards.

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Liverpool: Dudek, Xavier, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Riise, Heskey, Anelka. Subs: Smicer, Owen, Arphexad, McAllister, Litmanen.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Desailly, Gallas, Babayaro, Stanic, Lampard, Petit, Gronkjaer, Hasselbaink, Gudjohnsen. Subs: de Goey, Dalla Bona, Zola, Terry, Forssell.

Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).