Spain international Fernando Torres scored twice to help Liverpool clinch a 2-0 victory over Premier League leaders Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.

With top striker Didier Drogba left on the bench and playmaker Frank Lampard continuing his absence for more than two months due to injury, Chelsea found it hard to compete against Liverpool, especially when the Reds' forward Torres found his sharpness after long-time frustration.

The Spaniard, only scoring two goals at the Premier League this season, put the hosts ahead after 11 minutes by slotting Dirk Kuyt's diagonal pass past Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

On the stroke of half-time, Torres doubled Liverpool's advantage with a stunning curled shot after receiving the ball from Raul Meireles on the edge of the box.

Drogba, 32, was sent to the pitch after the break and led the Blues launching desperate attack.

However, the defending champions failed to make any breakthrough and nearly endangered themselves of being broken again in the last minutes.

After their second defeat at the Premier League this season, Chelsea's advantage over Manchester United was narrowed to two points as the Red Devils outplayed Wolves 2-0 on Saturday.

Another London side Arsenal also suffered defeat on Sunday, as they were unexpectedly beaten by Newcastle 1-0 at home.

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll nodded home the only goal of the match on the stroke of half-time and the visitors managed to take a fifth place on the rankings.

Also on Sunday, Mario Balotelli's two goals gave Manchester City a 2-0 win at West Brom. But the Italian striker got a straight red in the second half for foul on Youssuf Mulumbu.

The hosts also finished the match with 10 men left as Mulumbu was booked the second time later when he challenged Carlos Tevez.