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Xabi Alonso’s first-half goal ended Chelsea’s 86-game unbeaten home league record and put Liverpool three points clear at the top of the  Premier League.

Alonso struck in the ninth minute when his 20-yard shot deflected off Jose Bosingwa and left Petr Cech wrong-footed.

It was Chelsea’s first defeat under new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari but Liverpool were always in charge of a pulsating contest at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea began the brighter of the two sides and their initial thrusts almost resulted in an opening goal.

Chelsea failed to deal with a thrown-in when John Terry could only half-clear Dirk Kuyt’s clever back-header.

The ball fell to Alonso on the edge of the penalty area and his shot deflected off Chelsea right-back Bosingwa into the net.

Liverpool were commanding form and dominating the game.

In the 17th minute, Albert Riera beat Bosingwa on the left flank but fired his shot into the side netting.

Bosingwa tried to run at the Liverpool defence in the 21st minute but was chopped down crudely by Riera who received a booking from referee Howard Webb as a result.

Seconds later Salomon Kalou headed just over the bar from another cross by Bosingwa.

Liverpool continued to look dangerous and in the 24th minute they almost increased their lead when Cech was forced to tip a glorious volley from Steven Gerrard over the bar.

In the 36th minute Deco was given time and space to run at the Liverpool defence but his left-foot drive from 18 yards was wide of Jose Reina’s right-hand upright.

In the 38th minute Gerrard looked to be heading for an early bath for a foul on Bosingwa.

However, referee Webb elected to show the England midfielder a yellow card for his challenge.

Liverpool’s speed on the counter-attack almost opened up Chelsea again in the 43rd minute but, despite some confusion in the home defence, John Mikel Obi managed to clear their lines.

Chelsea began the second half in a much brighter fashion and it required an interception from Carragher to prevent a cross from Florent Malouda reaching its destination in the six-yard box.

In the 53rd minute Malouda was booked for checking a fine run by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Moments later Malouda was felled by Liverpool ‘keeper Reina in the penalty area but he had already been ruled offside by referee Webb.

In the 57th minute, Kuyt tried his luck from 20 yards but his effort was wide of the target.

It was the catalyst for a Chelsea to make a double substitution with Malouda and Kalou replaced by Juliano Belletti and Franco Di Santo.

It was another indication of Chelsea’s growing frustration and it prompted Liverpool to replace Robbie Keane with Ryan Babel.

The Reds were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out in the 60th minute when Belletti kicked Riera in the face.

Chelsea then had a massive escape when Alonso’s effort rebounded off the foot of the post for Ricardo Carvalho to clear.

At the opposite end, a 25-yard drive from Babel was only just wide of the target.