Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool: Johnson's late strike sinks Blues

In a game where ex-Reds Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles were tipped to cause their former club problems, it was ex-Chelsea defender Glenn Johnson who proved to be the match-winner as his late goal gave Liverpool maximum points.

In fact, £50m striker Torres and Portugeuse midfielder Meireles only entered the fray minutes before Johnson beat Ashley Cole then coolly slotted past Peter Cech to give the visitors all 3 points.

Both teamsheets contained surprises, with Andre Villas Boas opting for Didier Drogba, so often a thorn in Liverpool's side, leaving Torres and Engand new-boy Daniel Sturridge on the bench. With Chelsea's rearguard having looked fraile in the 5-3 home defeat to Arsenal, Kenny Dalglish opted to add more movement and guile to a mis-firing Liverpool attack, bringing in Craig Bellamy, Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez.

The plan nearly paid dividends within the first five minutes, as Luis Suarez almost released Maxi, then minutes later the Argentine found himself beyond the Chelsea back four once again, only for the home defence to recover.

At the other end, Juan Mata should have done better when he volleyed back across goal, then Dider Drogba's 25-yard free-kick whistled past Pepe Reina's post, with many of the Stamford Bridge crowd thinking the ball had gone in.

As the half wore on, the visitors controlled the game, with central-midfield pairing Lucas and Charlie Adam dictating the play. The pace and movement of the Liverpool attack constantly had the home side under pressure, David Luiz in particular.

On 33 minutes, the Reds enterprise was rewarded. When Cech found John Obi Mikel from a goal-kick, Adam made up 20 yards to instantly dispossess the Nigerian midfielder. Bellamy played a quick one-two with Suarez, before unselfishly releasing Maxi, who calmly side-footed past Cech.

With the home side visibly floundering, the Reds continued to get in behind their opponents, so it was a relief to the home fans when the half-time whistled sounded. When both teams came out for the second-half, Villas Boas changed the shape of his side, hauling off Mikel replaced by Sturridge.

The change saw the home side more of an attacking threat, with Spaniard Mata able to get on the ball more. On 55 minutes, they were rewarded, as Florent Malouda advanced unopposed to the Liverpool box. The French International's mis-hit shot rolled across the six-yard box, where Sturridge was waiting to tap home.

With their confidence up, Chelsea went for the jugular. From a whipped Drogba free-kick, Branislav Ivanovic's flicked header forced Reina into a fine one-handed save low to his left.

Liverpool re-grouped, with Jordan Henderson replacing Bellamy as the Reds employed a more disciplined formation. Chances were few and far between until Malouda scuffed a shot wide from six yards with 15 minutes left.

As the game entered it's closing stages, Villas Boas put his faith in a fairytale ending by bringing on ex-Reds duo Torres and Meireles. But the change seemed to fire up the Reds, with substitutes Henderson and Stewart Downing combining to tee up Kuyt, who fired wide.

With three minutes to go though, the Reds netted the winner. Adam's raking pass found full-back Johnson rampaging down the left. The defender, who played for the Blues under Jose Mourinho, nutmegged Cole before stepping inside Malouda. Faced with Cech, Johnson showed the composure of a seasoned striker to calmly slot a left-foot shot into the bottom far corner, much to the delight of Reds' boss Kenny Dalglish, who ran down the touchline arms aloft.

The scoreline was no more than the Reds deserved. Having dominated the first-half, the Reds were put under pressure early in the second-half following the equaliser, but, with Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel strong in defence, they showed great character to regroup and ultimately go on to win the game. After a disappointing result at home to Swansea City two weeks ago, Dalglish will be delighted to get back to winning ways. Next up is the small matter of runaway leaders Manchester City.