For a match short on incident, Chelsea’s goalless draw with Liverpool was highly significant. It severed any hope that Rafael Benítez’s side might have harboured for a late title challenge and meant that Chelsea can boast that no team have won in the league at Stamford Bridge in four years.

A charitable view would be that the significance of Liverpool’s trip to Stamford Bridge served to unnerve the players; there was little for Fabio Capello to be impressed with as the England manager watched from the stands. The game’s one controversial incident involved Joe Cole but he was much more effective playing under Capello at Wembley on Wednesday.

Cole was blocked inside the penalty area by Javier Mascherano in the 25th minute but Mike Riley, the referee, ignored Cole’s pleas for a penalty. “It was a 100 per cent penalty but the only penalty I know is when the referee whistles,” Avram Grant, the Chelsea manager said. “The referee made a mistake but it happens.”

On another day, Jamie Carragher might have felt proud of keeping a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge and being made man of the match. But yesterday’s game was billed as Liverpool’s last chance to make a bid for top-three finish and Carragher was forced to address not the challenge presented in attempting to catch Arsenal and Manchester United, but the skirmish for fourth place. “We have to respect Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United but our battles are with Everton, Villa and Manchester City,” the Liverpool defender said.

Asked about Liverpool’s prospects of a tilt at the title, Grant said: “It will be very difficult for them.” Benítez’s team are 16 points behind Arsenal.

The overriding impression was that had Fernando Torres been fit, Liverpool might have ended Chelsea’s remarkable home record. Peter Crouch wasted two excellent chances and Dirk Kuyt’s first touch on the turn let him down after the move of the match when the Dutch striker failed to capitalise on Steven Gerrard’s through ball.

“Especially in the first half we created some clear chances; at the end we defended well,” Benítez said. “Peter Crouch had some clear chances but the team today showed character and commitment. Chelsea are a very good team, so to create chances is very positive. We have to keep working hard. We want to finish in the top four.”

Chelsea have higher aspirations despite drawing their past two matches. “We are not happy,” Grant said. “Every game we want to win, especially at home. If we don’t win we are disappointed. It is not easy to play against Liverpool. They are a good team tactically, they don’t give much space.” Grant accepted that his side may have started to show signs of fatigue because of injury and those players on duty for the African Cup of Nations. “There was big physical pressure on a small group of players in the last two months,” he said.

However, as well as welcoming back his African contingent, Grant also expects John Terry to be fit within three weeks. “He is a leader and we need him.”

Next month Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge. On February 21, 2004, Arsenal won at Chelsea; no team, in the league, have won there since. “It was not an entertaining game, that’s for sure,” Grant said of yesterday’s match. But it was significant.