Chelsea 2-0 liverpool, Have the tides turned?

Chelsea is two points behind Liverpool with two games remaining, but it is Manchester City who could be the big beneficiary. The 2012 champions are six points behind Liverpool in third, having played two games fewer and with a superior goal difference. City was playing on Sunday at Crystal Palace, which Liverpool visits next Monday.

It's a long time to dwell on a defeat that will suppress the fervor that had been growing at Liverpool that the club's 24-year league title drought was coming to an end. Even three hours before kickoff, thousands of Liverpool fans lined the streets, preparing for the team's arrival at Anfield. It had the air of a victory parade, but whether the real thing takes place next month is now a lot more uncertain.

Publicly, Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho had insisted that the Champions League is the club's priority, with key players rested ahead of Wednesday's semifinal second leg. Chelsea drew 0-0 at Atletico Madrid last week. Tomas Kalas, who had made just two appearances for Chelsea previously as an 89th-minute substitute, was handed his debut but was surprisingly assured alongside Branislav Ivanovic in central defense.

A resilient Chelsea successfully nullified a team on an 11-game winning streak, and Demba Ba seized on Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's slip in first-half stoppage time to score the opener at Anfield.

After Chelsea withstood a series of attacks, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge gave the ball away in the 90th minute to allow a rapid counterattack that Willian completed to inflict the Reds' first loss since their game at Chelsea four months ago.