Liverpool Pip Chelsea

Fernando Torres Fernando Torres struck two late goals at Anfield to sink Chelsea and ensure Liverpool kept up the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester United.

The game looked destined for the draw that would have suited only Sir Alex Ferguson until Torres made his dramatic intervention to close the gap on United to two points, although Liverpool have played a game more.

Chelsea saw Frank Lampard sent off on the hour for a foul on Xabi Alonso, a decision they contested bitterly as they claimed he took the ball first before making contact with the Liverpool midfield man.

But they can have no serious complaints about the result after Liverpool dominated throughout, taking the game to Chelsea in a game played out in blizzard conditions.

Torres broke the deadlock a minute from time when he headed in a near-post cross from Fabio Aurelio, then set the seal on the win in stoppage time with a simple finish after substitute Yossi Benayoun had robbed Ashley Cole. Anfield was ecstatic at the final whistle, with recent traumas seemingly forgotten and hopes of a first title since 1990 revived again.