Fernando Torres struck two late goals on Sunday as Liverpool revived their flagging title hopes with a deserved 2-0 victory at home to Chelsea.
The Spaniard headed home in the 89th minute after Chelsea had been reduced to 10 men by a red card for Frank Lampard and then made sure of the points in stoppage time.
Liverpool, who had drawn their previous three Premier League matches, moved back above Chelsea into second place with 51 points from 24 games, two points behind champions Manchester United who have played a game fewer.
Newcastle United and Sunderland drew 1-1 in an earlier kickoff to leave them both in relegation trouble.