Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard [Images] hit out at the club's critics after their 4-1 thrashing of Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

The English champions have faced accusations of boring tactics and were lucky to escape with a goalless draw in a Champions League match at Anfield on Wednesday, making Sunday's victory all the sweeter.

"We had a big point to prove," said Lampard, who opened the scoring from the penalty spot on Sunday.

"A lot of things were said before the game that we weren't happy with and we've done all our talking on the pitch today. There's an absolutely brilliant feeling in the dressing room.

"There was talk of us being scared of coming here. We're not scared of going anywhere. I think people know that now.

"There was talk of us being a long-ball team. It was quite embarrassing talk, some of it.

"That's riled us a bit this week and we've responded in the best possible way," the England [Images] midfielder told Sky Sports.

Didier Drogba [Images] inspired Chelsea to a stunning win that lifted Jose Mourinho's side moved nine points clear at the top of the table with a maximum 24 points from their eight games so far.

Drogba played a part in all four goals, winning a penalty that Lampard converted for the first, before Damien Duff, Joe Cole and Geremi all scored with Steven Gerrard netting Liverpool's consolation strike.

The result equalled Chelsea's best win at Anfield and was the first time European champions Liverpool have conceded four goals in the league at home for 36 years.

"This win gives us permission to make a mistake, but it doesn't give us permission to sleep," Mourinho told reporters.

"We are in front, but there are good teams in the league and they will chase us.

"We are not the perfect team. I'm not saying we are the best team in the world, but we are a very good football team.

"We have big ambition and a big mentality. We have good team spirit, we are organised defensively and are creative. We have a very good side and we deserve respect."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes his team's defensive errors gifted Chelsea the victory.

"We helped Chelsea. We know they play off mistakes of the other team," he told reporters.

"We started the game well, but then made one mistake for the penalty and then another. It's difficult to win when you make mistakes against a good team.

"We have lost one game. If you see the team play badly, you can say you are worried. But my team played really well against Chelsea."

(Additional reporting by Bill Barclay)

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