Chelsea have navigated their toughest game of the season with no ground gained on them as they charge on towards a sixth league title - as their rivals fail miserably to compete with the Blues' consistency.
David Luiz produced a sensational display in a 1-1 draw at Anfield that could have been a win, if only Diego Costa didn't mess up his penalty in the 76th minute after his Brazilian team-mate scored a 30 yard free-kick in the first half.
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Liverpool battled back to earn a draw, but they did little to strike fear into their rivals, despite Georginio Wijnaldum finishing off a nice move in the 56th minute.
Chelsea look far better equipped for battles ahead than their rivals - as Antonio Conte's side controlled the game to brilliant effect.
Alongside the imperious N'Golo Kante, David Luiz was a standout performer for Chelsea. He's making a mockery of those who thought he wouldn't be a success when he returned from Paris Saint-Germain for £32 million last summer.
He's a perfect fit in the 3-4-3 formation and has worked well to become Conte's answer to Leonardo Bonucci in west London.
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Conte has helped him develop his game and the mistakes many expected have never come. Luiz has become a leader on the pitch for Chelsea, as John Terry's role is scaled back at the club.
His 24th-minute free kick was a display of great technique and opportunism and it left Simon Mignolet moaning - he complained that the referee didn't blow his whistle ahead of the shot. In reality, Mignolet had no chance and Luiz scored his first free kick since his first spell in the club, which last came 1386 days ago.
Luiz's performance was more than just a free kick as he won 80 per cent of his duels and 100% of them in the first half. He won more aerial duels than any other player and made more clearances than anyone else for Chelsea.
He had a long stoppage for treatment and didn't look at full fitness at points during the match but, just as he did after Sergio Aguero's horror tackle earlier in the season, Luiz soldiered on.
Conte has found another leader and his title chances have been strengthened on a day where they could have easily faltered. Chelsea are getting close and no one else looks capable of catching them.
