27 Oct 2008

Alonso strikes to end Chelsea's proud home record

9:11 am on 27 October 2008

The Liverpool football side are top of England's Premier League after ending Chelsea's long unbeaten home record in a 1-0 victory in London.

Xabi Alonso's deflected first-half shot sealed the points for the visitors, who move three points clear of Chelsea with 23 points from nine games.

It was Chelsea's first home defeat in the league since February 2004, a run of 86 unbeaten matches.

In other games, Robinho scored a hat-trick as hosts Manchester City beat Stoke City 3-0, Arsenal won 2-0 at West Ham and Wigan Athletic went down 4-0 at home to Aston Villa.

Struggling Tottenham Hotspur beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in London in their first win of the season in front of new manager Harry Redknapp, who replaced the sacked Juande Ramos.

Spurs remain bottom of the Premier League, however.

Portsmouth drew 1-1 with Fulham after the shock exit of their popular manager cast a gloomy atmosphere over Fratton Park.