Chelsea's long unbeaten home record in the Premier League ended on Sunday when Liverpool earned a 1-0 victory to take over at the top of the standings.

Xabi Alonso's deflected first-half shot sealed the points for the visitors, who move three points clear of Chelsea with 23 points from nine games.

It was Chelsea's first home reverse in the league since February 2004, a run of 86 unbeaten matches. It was also a first taste of defeat for manager Luiz Felipe Scolari [Images] since taking over at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool could have extended their lead in the second half when Alonso struck the base of a post with a low, curling shot while Chelsea's best effort after the break was sliced wide by Ashley Cole on the volley.

Liverpool have now beaten both Manchester United [Images] and Chelsea this season to underline the belief that they can win the title for the first time since 1990.

Significantly, it was manager Rafael Benitez's first away success in the league against either Chelsea, Arsenal [Images] or Manchester United and even diehard Chelsea fans could not quibble too much about the result.

Liverpool moved the ball around swiftly on the wet Stamford Bridge turf from the start and drew first blood after 10 minutes when Alonso seized on a loose ball and beat Petr Cech with a shot that brushed off Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa.

Steven Gerrard then brought a fingertip save from Cech before Chelsea began to dominate towards halftime. However, despite plenty of possession the home side found it hard to create chances and Deco's off-target effort was about the closest they came to an equaliser.

The expected Chelsea siege did not materialise after the break and it was Liverpool who threatened. Alonso beat Cech with a free kick only for the ball to thud against the post, while Ryan Babel's [Images] shot on the turn flew just wide.

The only time Liverpool were opened up at the back, Cole scuffed a volley wide with the goal at his mercy.

Later on Sunday, fourth-placed Arsenal were at West Ham United while bottom club Tottenham Hotspur, who sacked manager Juande Ramos on Saturday and replaced him with Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp, were hosting Bolton Wanderers.