Diego Costa helps Chelsea maintain title charge, down Liverpool

Diego Costa's second-half goal earned Chelsea a 2-1 win over Liverpoolon Saturday as the unbeaten leader negotiated another tough test in its relentless challenge for the Premier League title.

Dropped by Spain on Friday to allow him to recover from a string of nagging injuries, Costa started at Anfield and drove home his 10th league goal of the season in the 67th minute after Cesar Azpilicueta's cross was parried out.

Chelsea had to come from behind to secure a ninth victory in 11 games after German midfielder Emre Can scored for Liverpool from a deflected shot in the ninth minute.

Gary Cahill equalized with a scrappy goal from a corner in the 14th that required confirmation from goal-line technology, and Costa capped the comeback to continue his prolific first season at Stamford Bridge.

''In the second half, we showed something new, which is to be 1-1 at Anfield and not accept the result as a good result and play to win,'' Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said. ''I think we were very impressive. We want to play. We want to win. We want the ball. The personality of the team is amazing.''