CARLO ANCELOTTI could enjoy a celebratory cigarette after this impressive victory took Chelsea top of the table.
But the manager was not the only one smoking at Stamford Bridge - Didier Drogba was on fire.
Chelsea's top-scorer may not have hit the net for a fourth straight Premier League game, but he was instrumental in this success and eclipsed his strike rival Fernando Torres, who failed to spark at all.
Drogba created goals for both Nicolas Anelka and sub Florent Malouda as he tormented Liverpool warhorse Jamie Carragher, who had no answer to the Ivory Coast hitman's pace and power.
He had his infuriating moments - rolling around complaining when he should have got on with the game - but his brilliance when he stayed on his feet overshadowed the theatrics.
There were other stars for Chelsea, too. John Terry was immense at the back, getting above Torres time and again to head decisively away from the danger area.
And behind the captain, Henrique Hilario, making his first league start for eight months because of Petr Cech's suspension, was outstanding in goal when Liverpool hoped he would be the weak link.
Not a bit of it. Hilario did everything asked of him, including two outstanding saves - one from an Albert Riera free-kick and a blinder at the death from Steven Gerrard.
You could see the relief on Ancelotti's face at the end of a difficult week.
Chelsea were soundly beaten 3-1 at Wigan before struggling to overcome APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League.
The Italian admitted he was not happy with either of those performances but this was much more to his liking and should keep owner Roman Abramovich off his back for a fortnight.
Abramovich flew into training last Friday to 'take a look at things' and immediately the rumours started that Ancelotti's position was under threat.
After all, the last time Abramovich ran the rule over training he sacked Big Phil Scolari within days.
Abramovich is expecting big things this season and he cannot ask for much more than to see Chelsea sitting top of the table.
Liverpool's last visit to Stamford Bridge produced a sensational 4-4 Champions League draw - but this was more physical, while chances were few and far between.
In the first half, particularly, it seemed both sides were scared to open it up for fear of losing - and this result certainly raises an awful lot of questions about Liverpool's title chances.
This was their third Premier League defeat in eight matches and came on the back of a disappointing display in losing to Fiorentina in midweek.
The out-of-sorts Torres had a golden opportunity on 40 minutes when Dirk Kuyt picked him out but the Spaniard's attempted header seemed to come off his nose and it bounced down apologetically into Hilario's arms.
A minute before the break, Michael Essien - who was strong in the holding role - got a little excitable and took out Lucas.
From the free-kick, Riera's 35-yard effort somehow found a way through a raft of bodies and Hilario did well to react and turn it round the post.
The resulting corner saw Drogba grab Martin Skrtel's shoulder and push the centre-back to ground but referee Martin Atkinson waved away penalty claims - much to the annoyance of Rafa Benitez.
The Reds boss was even more upset when Chelsea took the lead on the hour after Essien robbed the dithering Javier Mascherano.
The ball broke to Deco, who fed Drogba down the left. The Ivorian's cross was a belter - curling across the six-yard box away from Pepe Reina and on to the outstretched right boot of Anelka, who gleefully converted.
Liverpool battled for an equaliser and Gerrard worked an opening but the moment he pulled back his left foot, Terry flung himself forward and blocked the shot.
Chelsea made it two in injury time as Drogba beat Fabio Aurelio and Carragher to muscle his way into the box. Carragher pulled Drogba back by his shirt but the Blues striker was in full flow and his low cross was buried by Malouda.
Liverpool could still have mounted an unlikely comeback as sub Yossi Benayoun missed a sitter, rolling a shot wide of the post with the goal gaping. Then Hilario pounced to his right to beat away Gerrard's volley.
So, a job well done by Chelsea but it will be an uncomfortable international break for Benitez as the inquest into Liverpool's performances gathers momentum.
