Gerrard slip costs Liverpool as Chelsea blow title race wide open

Chelsea blew the Barclays Premier League title race wide open with a 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.

Demba Ba capitalised on a mistake from Reds captain Steven Gerrard to give the visitors the lead just before half-time and Willian made sure with a breakaway goal in injury time.

The result ended Liverpool's 11-match winning run and put Chelsea back in the running a week after defeat against Sunderland seemed to have snuffed out their hopes.

Liverpool remain two points ahead of Chelsea and three clear of Manchester City, who defeated Crystal Palace 2-0.

But City have a game in hand and also a significant advantage on goal difference, meaning the title is effectively in their hands.

Manuel Pellegrini's side opened the scoring at Selhurst Park after only four minutes through Edin Dzeko, with Yaya Toure netting the second two minutes before half-time.

At the other end of the table, Sunderland climbed out of the relegation zone with a thumping 4-0 win over fellow strugglers Cardiff.

In-form Connor Wickham gave the Black Cats the lead in the 26th minute, and the game took a decisive turn in their favour just before half-time.

Juan Cala pulled Wickham back and was sent off, with Fabio Borini netting the resulting penalty, and second-half goals from Emanuele Giaccherini and Wickham added gloss to the scoreline.

Sunderland moved above Norwich on goal difference and have a game in hand while Cardiff dropped to the bottom of the table, two points from safety.