Champions and Premier League leaders Chelsea [ Images ] suffered their second defeat of the season as Fernando Torres [ Images ] scored twice to guide resurgent Liverpool to a deserved 2-0 victory at Anfield on Sunday.

The Spaniard was back to his predatory best with two well-taken goals in the first half, inspiring Liverpool to their best performance of the season and their third successive league win.

Arsenal [ Images ] failed to take advantage of the leaders' slip, however, as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Newcastle United courtesy of Andy Carroll's header at the end of the first half.

Manchester City [ Images ] did gain ground with Italian striker Mario Balotelli [ Images ] scoring both goals in a comfortable 2-0 win at West Bromwich Albion [ Images ] before being sent off in the second half.

The results squeezed the top of the standings with Chelsea still top on 25 points, two ahead of Manchester United [ Images ], who beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 on Saturday.

Arsenal and Man City have 20 with Newcastle up to fifth on 17 points. Liverpool, in the bottom three a week ago, jumped to ninth on 15.