A stunning strike from Didier Drogba condemned Liverpool to an unfortunate 1-0 defeat against 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Drogba netted with an impressive turn and shot from the edge of the box three minutes before half-time but the hosts were seething when Michael Ballack was dismissed for a stamp of Momo Sissoko early in the second half.

The decisive goal came against the run of play in what was another keenly fought contest between these two fierce rivals.

Liverpool started brightly and hit the bar through Dirk Kuyt in the 16th minute, while Craig Bellamy will be disappointed not to have done better with a good scoring opportunity just moments later.