At last, some goalscoring feats from Chelsea.
They provided little comfort for those hoping the English premiership race would be a riveting contest, but Chelsea's 4-1 dismantling of Liverpool at Anfield was breathtaking.
Chelsea won again by preying on their opponent's weakness, the static Liverpool defence. But this time, through the awkward skill of the Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba, they netted four goals. And they did so in one of football's most famous grounds, and home of the European champions.
As Liverpool tried in vain to empower their lanky but skilled new striker Peter Crouch so he could match Drogba, you had to recall the oft-repeated mantra of Roy Keane.
The most influential and greatest British or Irish club footballer of a generation has constantly demanded that Manchester United spend up large to improve their squad, even during the glory years.
In the main, Keane believed this was necessary to compete in Europe, but now it is also needed for the job at home.
You could only admire Chelsea's demolition job, as their travelling fans called for matches against Liverpool every week. Then you remembered the money and options available to their coach, Jose Mourinho, and how he can leave millions of pounds worth of players in the stands.
Chelsea loosened their boring tag, but it is the premiership itself that is in greatest danger of being stuck with this label. It is barely being saved by the race for spots in European competitions, and later on the relegation battle.
Until other clubs find the money to match Chelsea's spending in soccer's candy store, the greatest sports competition on Earth is sadly locked up as a one-team closed shop.
<EM>Chris Rattue:</EM> Boring? Who you calling boring?
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