Jose Mourinho's side look unstoppable after cantering to their eighth successive league triumph.

Elsewhere, Merseyside's misery was complete when Everton slumped to their sixth defeat of the season when a 2-0 loss at Manchester City kept them rooted to the foot of the table.

Arsenal are 11 points behind Chelsea after needing a fortunate own-goal at home to Birmingham to steal the three points in a 1-0 win.

But it was at Anfield where the destination of this year's title looked even more certain.

Frank Lampard set Chelsea on their way from the penalty spot before Steven Gerrard equalised with his first Premiership goal of the season.

Damien Duff restored the visitors' lead before Joe Cole and substitute Geremi completed Liverpool's misery after half-time as the Merseyside club conceded four at home in the league for the first time in 36 years.

The European champions, who now trail the Londoners by 17 points, have now failed to record a win in four games and enter the two-week international break firmly anchored in the bottom half of the table after suffering their heaviest defeat under Rafael Benitez.

Mourinho later hit out at his team's detractors who have criticised the club's style.

"It's eight matches, eight victories, 18 goals - I think it's time to respect my players, my team and Chelsea Football Club," Mourinho told Sky Sports.

"We are not a perfect team. I am not saying we are the best team in the world.

"I am saying we are a very good football team with everything a football team should have - big ambition, defensive quality, attacking quality, individual players, creativity."

Benitez believed his team were in with a chance at 1-1 but were always in trouble once Chelsea had edged ahead.

"For the first 25 minutes we played very well, and for the first half I saw a very good Liverpool," said the Spaniard.

"We played at the same level as them in the first half - but if you concede goals then you must play with risk. That is when you are likely to concede another."

Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor was left heartbroken after his brave attempt to win his side a point at Arsenal was thwarted by a late, cruel twist of fate.

The Midlanders were on course to snatch a 0-0 draw at Highbury but were denied when substitute Robin van Persie's drive skipped off the heel of defender Stephen Clemence and past Taylor nine minutes from the end to give the Gunners a 1-0 win.

Taylor had earlier saved a penalty from Robert Pires midway through the first half, just two minutes after Blues captain Kenny Cunningham was sent off for a foul on Freddie Ljungberg.

Ljungberg then went down under Damien Johnson's challenge for the spot-kick, but Taylor kept that out and then made a series of terrific saves, preventing Jose Antonio Reyes and Pires getting on the scoresheet.

Danny Mills' spectacular goal sent Manchester City on their way to a 2-0 victory over Everton with Darius Vassell adding the second late in the game.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Aiyegbeni Yakubu's double handed Middlesbrough their third Premiership win of the season with a 3-2 victory against Aston Villa.

Goals in either half from Yakubu and one from George Boateng secured victory for the visitors.

Wigan continued their successful march in top-flight football with a 2-1 victory over Bolton.

First half goals from Henri Camara and Lee McCulloch were enough although Radhi Jaidi pulled one back for Bolton.