Liverpool didn't even have to raise a sweat, as they beat Newcastle in easy fashion but saved their best players for Wembley this weekend.
The Reds moved within four points of the Barclays Premier League top four after goals from Raheem Sterling and Joe Allen saw off the struggling Magpies at Anfield.
Brendan Rodgers: "The players and myself are very motivated to do the best we can. We have shown we can put results together consistently. We have important players coming back which is good news.
"But we are looking for other teams to slip up and we have to continue winning.
"There are teams above us but, as we have seen last year, there can be changes and points dropped and I think there will be changes.
"It was a good performance. I thought that our attacking play was very bright, we looked exciting going forward, we worked hard in the midfield.
"At times our possession could have been better but we had a real attacking intent and created chances and could have scored more goals."
The defeat was Newcastle's fifth in succession and left them with work still to do to ensure they do not get pulled into the relegation battle.
Barclays Prem
1 Chelsea 73
2 Arsenal 66
3 Man Utd 65
4 Man City 61
5 Liverpool 57
6 So'ton 56
7 Tottenham 54