Source: Daily_Mail
Top Drogs: Chelsea aces are too strong for Benitez's weary Liverpool
Bullish Carlo Ancelotti last night hailed the power of his Chelsea side after they muscled past Liverpool to march two points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
Didier Drogba outshone Fernando Torres in the battle of the world's best strikers while Chelsea shackled Steven Gerrard to take full advantage of Manchester United's slip-up at home to Sunderland.
The 2-0 victory was secured with a stunning goal on the hour from Nicolas Anelka and a late clincher from Florent Malouda, but Ancelotti saw stars in blue all over the pitch. He said: 'I know we did what we prepared before the game and, for this, I'm happy. Drogba supported Anelka well and worked hard, but all the players did.
'We wanted to avoid free passes for Gerrard because he's very dangerous. Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard did that job fantastically.
'To control Fernando Torres is not easy. Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry did a fantastic job.'
Ancelotti has already applied blinkers for the title race, adding: 'This season depends only on us.
'Manchester United's result was a surprise, but we wanted to stay concentrated on our own season, not the others.
'We're top of the table and we prepare for the next games with determination. Our season depends upon us.'
Dismissing the crisis talk which followed last weekend's shock 3-1 defeat by Wigan and a patchy 1-0 win away to APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League, Ancelotti added: 'In Italy we usually say, 'It's the same the world over'.
'It was not pressure. We lost one game and played badly for a second match, but we worked hard to find the problem and resolve it. After this match, we've shown we've resolved our problem.'
Better luck next time: Drogba consoles Torres
Manager Rafa Benitez refused to concede Liverpool had blown their own title chances with a third defeat in eight games, one more than they suffered in the whole of the last campaign.
He said: 'This year, the top sides will lose points against the other teams, so the main thing is to try to improve and do better each week.
'We lost just two last season, but people were telling me about the draws. Now we're winning more and losing a few, but maybe we'll have more points. It's important to keep calm, keep working.'
