English players in action:

Chelsea: Glen Johnson, John Terry, Wayne Bridge, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole
Liverpool: Danny Murphy, Emile Heskey

Liverpool, who have endured a tough start to the season, losing an improbable six Premiership matches, bounced back in style last night with a gutsy display that said much about the strength of character that Gerard Houllier's squad obviously have.

Liverpool's first win at Stamford Bridge since the Premiership was formed was due in no small part to the industry and artistry of England striker Emile Heskey.

The former Leicester City forward has one his best games of the season and was instrumental to the goal scored after 33 minutes by Frenchman Bruno Cheyrou.

Heskey picked the ball up from a pass out of defence by Stephane Henchoz and headed the ball on to Cheyrou who in turn passed it back out to Heskey wide on the right.

The England striker then lashed in a fierce cross which Cheyrou adroitly volleyed past goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

There were other performances that would have pleased a watching Sven besides that of Heskey. In the Reds' midfield, Danny Murphy was energetic and, along with Dietmar Hamann, refused to allow Chelsea to string their slick passing moves together.

The Chelsea defence was once again mainly English affair with John Terry, Wayne Bridge and Glen Johnson all starting for the Blues.

Though they conceeded the only goal of the game, they looked strong and after Cheyrou's clinical strike rarely looked overly troubled by anything Liverpool threw at them.

Former West Ham midfielders Frank Lampard and Joe Cole played well in midfield, though Lampard was missing some of his drive that he shown so much of over the past few months.

Teams

Chelsea: Cudicini, Johnson, Gallas, Terry, Bridge, Makelele, Lampard, Cole (Gronkjaer, 62), Geremi, Crespo (Gudjohnsen, 12), Mutu.
Subs not used: Sullivan, Babayaro, Desailly.

Liverpool: Dudek (Luzi Bernardi, 77), Henchoz, Hyypia, Traore, Biscan, Diouf, Murphy, Hamann, Cheyrou (Riise, 77), Heskey, Kewell.
Subs not used: Smicer, Owen, Le Tallec.

Bookings: Heskey, Diouf.
Sendings off: Diouf.

Attendance: 41,420
Referee: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).