BLUES AT THE BRIDGE

Finally, the 86 match unbeaten run came to an end on Sunday when Liverpool beat Chelsea 1-0 courtesy of a deflected first half Alonso strike. To be honest it was not much of a game which has become the norm when these two sides play.

There is always tension and endeavour but not many classics and considering they have played each other on over 20 occasions in the past four years this is particularly disappointing.

Both teams cancel each other out in the tactical stakes which leaves nearly all the encounters being resolved by a single event. Compared to the games between Manchester United and Arsenal they are cagey affairs and often leave the onlooker enthralled but not excited. If they are to become the dominant forces in the Premiership, then this conundrum must be solved to really ignite the title battle.

Before the game had even began they were fighting for news coverage after the astonishing turn of events at White Hart Lane when Ramos and his entourage were sacked and fans' favourite Harry Redknapp was spirited in as the midnight bells were striking.

Events at 'The Lane' cannot get any more bizarre and a much needed 2-0 win over Bolton was a mere sideshow to the headline act who turned up on Sunday to oversee his first game in charge. He should enjoy it while it lasts as tonight's game at the Emirates and Liverpool's visit at the weekend might give a better perspective to his team's current position.

No one doubts he will save them from relegation - then again the same was the case with Ramos - but how much he will achieve in the next two years is another question entirely. Considering the malaise that has existed at Tottenham for some time now I would not be too optimistic and in some ways the club is beginning to mirror that of its northeast counterpart as Newcastle also seem to think they deserve more than they ever deliver.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has sacked and appointed nine managers in eight years and has somehow managed to survive himself but maybe he need only look at his north London rivals who have been a model of consistency under Wenger to realise the recipe for success.

It takes more than enthusiasm and quality players to reach the top as Benitez has encountered at Liverpool for the past few seasons as they have been far from title contenders and were actually out of the title race by Christmas for the past few seasons.

This year, though, they have won games they should have lost and even without talisman Torres they were able to defeat a good Chelsea side at a time when they were playing very well. Can they continue this for the whole season? It is possible especially if they can avoid dropping points against lesser opposition but on current viewing this may be beyond them.

Too many times they need either Gerrard or Torres to bail them out and eventually their luck will dry up and games that United and Chelsea cruise through will be costly when the season draws to a close. Until they can regularly win such games without reaching fourth gear then it is still best to see them as lively outsiders for the title rather than the team they all have to beat.

It is not an easy transition and it is not one that can be solved by buying a player or changing formation. It only comes from winning games, winning them so consistently that other teams almost assume they will lose before the game starts. Liverpool have not had this aura since the 80s and only if they can put together a run of 15-20 games will they achieve it.

The title is far from being sorted and Liverpool have a decent chance of being there at the end but this year may be one year to soon and the usual suspects of United and Chelsea will be battling it out for the honours come May.