Chelsea 1 Liverpool 2: Liverpool moved level on points with Chelsea after Glen Johnson's late winner at Stamford Bridge. The former Chelsea defender struck at the end of a second half that was dominated by the hosts and saw them equalise Maxi Rodriguez's opener through Daniel Sturridge.

It was Liverpool's third win at Stamford Bridge in four seasons and came about thanks to "hard work", according to midfielder Charlie Adam, who had a hand in both goals

"Hard work was the difference," he told Sky Sports 1. "We had good shape. We knew it would be difficult as Chelsea are a good team, but we have good players ourselves and it was a good way to bounce back from a difficult result against Swansea two weeks ago.

“We have to come to places like this and win. We did well to bounce back from the goal we conceded.”

With all the pre-match talk concentrating on Fernando Torres coming up against his old team, it was Johnson who had the final say.

“I was probably the last name on people‘s minds,” he said. “I like to get forward and I‘m grateful to get the goal. I‘ve had some difficult months, but I‘ve been feeling better after injury and have been getting back to fitness.”

A draw was arguably a fair result but that had also been the case in Chelsea’s games against Manchester United and Arsenal this season when they also ended up on the losing side.

Today’s loss cast further doubt on manager Andre Villas-Boas’ Stamford Bridge revolution, with the Blues now looking set to drop out of the top four, something billionaire owner Roman Abramovich is unlikely to tolerate for long. The Russian watched his prize asset left on the bench this afternoon as Fernando Torres and Liverpool’s Andy Carroll watched for the best part of 85 and 90 minutes respectively.

Liverpool made an impressive start, almost exploiting Chelsea’s now notoriously high defensive line by twice Rodriguez getting beyond Suarez and Bellamy.

It took 10 minutes for the home side to seriously threaten, Juan Mata drilling Florent Malouda’s cross dangerously back across goal. At the other end, Branislav Ivanovic got a vital touch on Bellamy’s cross before Johnson wasted a great opportunity to tee up a team-mate after a barnstorming run.

Liverpool, wearing black armbands in memory of the son of goalkeeper Brad Jones, who died of leukaemia on Friday, were looking more than comfortable, although Drogba hit the stanchion with a free-kick some supporters thought had gone in.

Terry, whose error cost Chelsea dearly against Arsenal in their last home game, made another gaffe in the 28th minute when he was robbed by Kuyt but David Luiz snuffed out the Liverpool attack.

Lucas was booked for clattering into the defender but the visitors’ pressure was beginning to tell and they took the lead five minutes later after more horrendous defending.

John Obi Mikel dwelt on Petr Cech’s pass and Charlie Adam robbed him, fed Craig Bellamy, who played a one-two with Suarez before feeding Rodriguez to clip over the goalkeeper.

Villas-Boas hauled off Mikel for Sturridge at half-time and it almost paid off four minutes in when Frank Lampard and Mata combined to find Drogba, who curled over from a good position. The home side still looked uncertain whenever Liverpool broke but their pressure told in the 55th minute thanks to some rotten defending from the visitors.

Malouda was allowed to advance into the box and his cross-cum-shot was tapped home by Sturridge.

A wonder-save from Jose Reina stopped Ivanovic glancing home Drogba’s free-kick two minutes later as Chelsea continued to dominate.

Ramires was booked for a late tackle on Martin Skrtel, with Kuyt following suit after hauling back Malouda.

Liverpool threw on Jordan Henderson for Bellamy in a bid to stem the tide, but Malouda was next to go close with an audacious overhead kick.

The winger then sent a half-volley from Ivanovic’s cross back across the face of goal and over the heads of waiting team-mates as Torres and Carroll both warmed up on the touchline.

They were made to wait even longer as the next change saw Stewart Downing replace Rodriguez before Ivanovic was cautioned for a reckless tackle on Suarez.

With just six minutes remaining, Torres finally arrived — along with fellow Liverpool old boy Raul Meireles — with Drogba and Ramires making way.

The visitors missed a great chance when Kuyt dragged wide after great work down the right from Henderson before Johnson produced one of the goals of the season to win it three minutes from time.

The full-back brought down Adam’s pinpoint crossfield ball superbly, nutmegged Ashley Cole, and drove goalward before slotting into the corner.