Chelsea edged closer to the English Premier League title with a 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield. A disastrous error by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard handed Didier Drogba a simple opening goal in the first half and Frank Lampard added a second after the break. The result ensured Chelsea remain in pole position to win their first championship for four years but also finally put paid to the Merseysiders' hopes of securing Champions League football next season. Drogba nipped in to intercept Gerrard's back pass to put Chelsea ahead. Drogba told Sky Sports 1: "He made a big mistake. I was lucky to be there and score. It was good because this goal gave us a lot of confidence to play well." The Ivory Coast striker claimed referee Alan Wiley should have given the visitors a penalty when Salomon Kalou appeared to be fouled. Drogba added: "It's not easy to make a decision like this but when it is a penalty you have to give it." Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti said his side deserved their victory. "It was a very important step for our fight for the title," he added. "We played very well, we deserved to win. "We are happy because it was a difficult step against Liverpool. Tactically we did very well." However, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has not given up all hope of winning a fourth successive Premier League crown after his team ensured the title race would go down to the final weekend. United beat Sunderland 1-0 thanks to a Nani's first-half goal to stay alive after leaders Chelsea had beaten Liverpool. Ferguson's side will host Stoke next weekend trailing the Blues by a point and needing them to drop points at home to Wigan.

* PA Sport