Performance of the Week

Not that player and teams don't put 100% to there performances, there didn't seem to be the clear performance of the week this week but I have as ever come up with another cracker from this latest sporting week. But firstly a few mentions for the unlucky few. Rochdale and Chris Dagnall in particular hit six past leaky Chester in mid-week. it was Dagnall's second career hat-trick which he completed within the hour. Andy Murray won his fifth title of the year and his 23rd match in 25 as he won the St Petersbury Open. Murray was the top seed in the competition he also won last year, something we will be hearing a lot of in the coming years.

As you can see only two performances caught my eye as contenders to performance of the week, mainly because I was blinded by the winner, Liverpool's 1-0 win at Chelsea.

Now lets look at this result at literally as we can. beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is some achievement, no-matter who you are no-one has in 86 matches. An amazing feat I think and one not looked upon as a great one enough I don't think. Add to that that no Liverpool side managed by Rafa Benitez has ever scored a league goal at Stamford Bridge, and they went to the fortress without there tip scorer from last season and the an who put three past this same side last season Fernando Torres.

Look at all of those statistic and you come close to realizing how brilliant this win really is. Not since Liverpool's win at Old Trafford in 2002 have Liverpool won in the league away from home against one of the big four. It's their second win against one of the big four already this season.

Confidence is clearly a big factor with this team. Going for so long without a win of any sort away from Anfield against a top side is hard to take, and this Liverpool side knew if they were to challenge for the title they had to start winning these games. Well they have started that process very well.

The game itself was a poor one, a typical Chelsea-Liverpool affair to be honest. Tight neither side giving much away and not may chances to speak of. However Liverpool were prepared to come out and take the game to Chelsea. Just like Manchester United did last month they got there early goal and asked the home side to come and have a go. This time they couldn't reply.

More could have followed, some great interplay in the final minute could have given Babel a goal after he replaced Keane. Alonso could have doubled his tally but the post denied him of a beauty from a 30 yard free-kick. Chelsea were devoid of ideas Nicolas Anelka marshaled brilliantly by Daniel Agger and Frank Lampard almost anonymous under the eyes of Javier Mascherano.

This performance, like the one against Manchester United should give them extra belief that this could be there season, wins without Torres were almost non-existent last season, at last they have learned how to win without the Spaniard.

Whether this win means they can win the title is debatable, you certainly win nothing in October, but everyone knows they mean business that's for sure. How they react when they eventually loose a game will show us all what there character is like. Not until then will we know if Manchester United crown in heading to Mersey-side.