Press Association report

Patrik Berger proved history can repeat itself in spades as Liverpool handed 10-man Chelsea another Merseyside mauling. A year ago the Czech midfielder had been the two-goal inspiration of the 5-1 defeat that had been the worst result of Ruud Gullit's managerial career. And this time he went one better with his first hat-trick in English football to prove reports of Liverpool's demise are greatly exaggerated - and put Stamford Bridge title hopes in better perspective.

Berger's first goal of the season had put Roy Evans' side on their way, even though Chelsea controversially equalised instantly when Gianfranco Zola slotted home after David Elleray ignored the clearest of pushes by Mark Hughes.

But after Frenchman Bernard Lambourde had picked up Chelsea's third record card of the season not even Gullit's first appearance for seven months could stem the red tide.

And it was Berger who took centre stage with a glittering personal show which illuminated a frantic and at times downright unpleasant match.

Ten minutes before the break, Berger's emphatic finish from Stig Bjornebye's low cross restored Liverpool's advantage, and when he ghosted through soon after the interval the points were secure.

To celebrate his hat-trick, Berger then laid the fourth on a plate for Robbie Fowler as Liverpool made the most of their extra man.

And although Gustavo Poyet slotted home a late spot kick - Chelsea had more valid claims rejected - there could be no denying the Reds their win - and Berger his afternoon of personal triumph.

Gullit had suggested that last year's Anfield thumping had been what his team needed, and it did look that way as the much-changed Chelsea side - just five of the same starters - controlled the early tempo.

Liverpool's possession was taking them nowhere, while the Blues looked to get Hughes and Zola, back after being rested in Bratislava, beyond the Liverpool backline. But from the outset there had been undercurrents of nastiness, scores to be settled, and Mr Elleray was always going to be busy.

So it proved, with Lambourde picking up his first caution for the clearest of tugs on Karlheinz Riedle, the German partnering Fowler for the first tme as Michael Owen reverted to the bench.
Ed De Goey saved from Riedle's header but there was nothing De Goey could do when Berger put the Reds ahead in the 20th minute, although Graeme Le Saux was decidedly more culpable.
Paul Ince's long ball looked to be covered by the England defender, but he allowed it to bounce, and the off-break spin back over his head left Berger in the clear. It still needed a cool head - and there were not many in Anfield by this time - but Berger had precisely that, exquisitely lobbing over De Goey and into the net.

Anfield was ecstatic, but within two minutes the emotion had changed to outright fury.

Gustavo Poyet played through the middle and Hughes, surely from an offside position, body-checked Bjorn Kvarme. Even Zola, at first, could not believe neither Mr Elleray nor his linesman had spotted something wrong, but as Liverpool stood waiting for the whistle, the Sardinian rounded David James to slide home.

The Liverpool fans erupted, the players likewise, with Ince incurring the wrath of the referee for his comments, but the goal stood.

Zola's assured finish had been ominous for Glenn Hoddle - surely wincing at home as he watched the television footage of the increasingly ugly tackles - but that was to be his last act after Lambourde's crude block on McManaman.

Gullit, sensing the need for a clear head, decided it was time for his first appearance since being injured at Derby on March 1. Zola was sacrificed as Gullit slotted into a defensive role, but Liverpool were determined to press home their advantage. And it took them just eight more minutes to do exactly that. Bjornebye played to McManaman and went for the return, beating Frank Sinclair for pace. The Norwegian looked up and spotted Berger standing on the penalty spot, with the Czech's first-time shot proving he does have a right foot after all as he rammed it home.

Chelsea, with Hughes alone up front, might have feared the worst, yet bizarrely it was they who went in at the break complaining about the officials. Rob Jones jumped through from behind Poyet after Dennis Wise - who, to no great surprise, had been booked as well - had clipped into the box. Poyet, Roberto Di Matteo and Le Saux surrounded the referee, but in vain.

Jones, however, did not appear after the interval, Jason McAteer coming on, but even Gullit's experience could not save the Blues in this situation. Fowler shot across the face of goal from McAteer's centre, and McManaman's strike from outside box was held by the keeper.
But when Berger completed his trio before the hour the writing was firmly on the wall.
Again there were appeals for a flag, as McManaman's ball found both Berger and Riedle through on goal. Berger could have slipped to the German, but it is hard to pass up the opportunity of a Premiership hat-trick, and a jink past De Goey was followed by a simple roll into the net.

Having completed that three-timer, Berger turned provider when next put through in the 64th minute, rolling back for Fowler to crash home his third in as many Premiership starts.

The game won, even the jeers that had greeted Gullit's every touch were ended, all the more so when his response to a chant of ``Ruudy, what's the score?'' was to point at the No 4 on his back.
Everybody knew the game was up - most evidently the home players, who collectively went to sleep. Gullit - through on goal then falling over the ball - and Tore Andre Flo, who had replaced Dan Petrescu, wasted chances before Poyet did convert after McAteer had hauled down the Norwegian beanpole.

Not that it really mattered. Now it is just one Anfield win in 61 years for Chelsea. Liverpool, however, announced in the best way that they are back in the title race.

Copyright - Press Association