Soccer: Chelsea crush Real Betis, Liverpool win

LONDON - Goals from strikers Didier Drogba and Hernan Crespo, defender Ricardo Carvalho and winger Joe Cole earned Chelsea a 4-0 Champions League win over Real Betis today.

The victory put last year's semifinalists top of Group G on goal difference from Liverpool, who beat Anderlecht 1-0 in Brussels.

Betis came to Stamford Bridge to earn points but they received a masterclass in defensive organisation and attacking flair from the English champions who weathered early pressure before demonstrating their superiority.

Drogba opened the Londoners' account in the 24th minute and Carvalho made it two 20 minutes later after Betis keeper Antonio Doblas lost balance and dropped the ball.

Cole neatly rounded defender Juanito in the 59th minute for the third and Crespo got smartly on the end of a Shaun Wright-Phillips cross in the 64th to complete the rout.

Holders Liverpool also took a decisive step towards the soccer knockout phase with a 1-0 victory at Anderlecht.

A 20th-minute volley by striker Djibril Cisse inflicted a 10th successive Champions League defeat on the Belgian side who remain bottom of Group G without a point from their three games.

Unbeaten Liverpool are level with Chelsea on seven points at the halfway point of the group stage, four clear of third-placed Real Betis who lost 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Cisse's strike following a corner was a deserved reward for a dominant first-half display by Rafael Benitez's team and their defence stood firm under pressure in the second half.

- REUTERS