Liverpool FC continued their remarkable Premier League revival under Kenny Dalglish as Raúl Meireles struck to earn the Reds a 1-0 win against Chelsea FC.

The build-up to the match at Stamford Bridge had focused on the first appearance in a Chelsea shirt of their €57.5m British-record signing Fernando Torres, but the Spaniard endured a disappointing debut, missing a presentable chance to open his goal account against his former side and being substituted before Liverpool scored on 69 minutes.

Meireles popped up at the far post to volley in his fourth goal in five league matches, after Petr Čech and Branislav Ivanović had failed to deal with Steven Gerrard's right-wing cross. The result gave Liverpool their fourth successive Premier League win and moved them up to sixth place, six points behind the Blues. Carlo Ancelotti's side remain fourth on goal difference ahead of Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Earlier in the day, Birmingham City FC moved out of the relegation zone thanks to a 1-0 victory at West Ham United FC. Though new West Ham signing Demba Ba hit the woodwork late on, Nikola Žigić's strike (65) was enough to move the visitors on to 27 points, three clear of the last-placed Hammers.

Results

Standings

Photo gallery