Chelsea moved back into the top four with a solid 1-0 victory over champions, Liverpool.

Mason Mount's first half strike was the difference as Thomas Tuchel's men earned a first league win at Anfield since 2014, handing the reds a fourth successive home defeat.

Exploiting the space

Chelsea started strong, looking to exploit the space in behind Liverpool's backline with the pacey Timo Werner leading the line and making runs in behind. 

This nearly paid early dividends 10 minutes in when Ben Chilwell found the striker with a ball over the top and his effort from the edge of the area was only just over the bar.

The German thought he'd been rewarded for his running halfway though the first half when he was released by another ball over the top and beat the onrushing Alisson to the ball, tapping into the empty net.

However, the celebrations were cut short when after a VAR review the striker was adjudged to be offside.

The hosts didn't offer much, but nearly took the lead when a brilliant ball from Mohamed Salah found Sadio Mane in the box, but the Senegalese forward's miskick was a let-off for the West London club.

Towards the end of a half that looked like it might yield no reward, Chelsea finally got their goal, Mount cutting in from the left flank and placing an effort low into the bottom right corner.

An organised second half

The blues came close to doubling their advantage at the start of the second half when Mount linked up with Chilwell to release the fullback into the area and his effort straight at Alisson was followed up by Hakim Ziyech who saw his shot cleared off the line.

Mount was influential throughout, playing Werner through in behind 15 minutes from time, but the former RB Leipzig man couldn't find a way beyond Alisson with his effort. 

As the game neared its end, the reds began to turn up the pressure, coming close to forcing the ball into Edouard Mendy's goal after a strong run and cross from Roberto Firmino in the 85th minute.

Andreas Christensen demonstrated the kind of form that has earned him a regular place in Tuchel's side with another solid display at the back, mopping up and keeping the Liverpool forwards in check.

What's next?

Chelsea have opened up a four point gap between themselves and the champions, just three points shy of third-placed Leicester.

On Monday evening they welcome Carlo Ancelotti's Everton, who sit just a point below them with a game in hand, to Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool sit 7th, four points off the top four and 22 points of league leaders Manchester City

They will look to rectify their disappointing home form on Sunday when they welcome strugglers Fulham.

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