In injury time, Lampard did add the fifth, heading in after Drogba had nodded down Cole's high left-wing cross to give Chelsea the added bonus of drawing level on goal difference with Manchester United.
But Chelsea, who only remain top of the Premier League on goal difference following Manchester United's victory over Wigan, wasted at least five glorious chances before the break and that set the tone for a frustrating afternoon in the west Midlands.
Torres stuck the woodwork with a header before Hull's hopes were ended when Kuyt struck his second to briefly move Liverpool top on goal difference ahead of Manchester United's 5-2 victory over Tottenham.
They head Manchester United on goal difference, but the reigning champions can open up a three point lead when they host Fulham at Old Trafford Monday.
United moved back ahead of arch-rivals Manchester City on goal difference but crucially have two games in hand as they maintain their bid to win a record 19th title.
The comprehensive victory, courtesy of two own goals from the home side and later strikes from Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin lifts Arsene Wenger's men to within two points of leaders Chelsea and ahead of champions Manchester United on goal difference in second place.
The former Manchester United striker was the difference - dropping deep to collect possession and influence his side's attacks and providing the moment of individual brilliance that gave Uruguay the lead midway through the first half via a 30-yard dipping shot that found the net via a glancing deflection off Aaron Mokoena.
Last season's Premier League was won with the virtual last kick of the season, when Sergio Aguero scored to give Manchester City the title on goal difference.
The result leaves Tottenham seven points ahead of Arsenal, who go back above Chelsea on goal difference, although Spurs are now eight points behind second placed Manchester United -- who closed the gap on Manchester City to just two points after a late 2-1 victory at Norwich on Sunday.
CNN: Arsenal fight back to win sensational north London derby
Most recently, he rebounded from losing the 2011-12 Premier League title to crosstown rival Manchester City by signing Robin van Persie , whose goals made the difference in this year's stroll to the title.
"If one decays more often to this final state... than the other one, then it shows a fundamental difference between matter and antimatter, " said Chris Parkes of the University of Manchester, spokesperson for the UK contingent of the LHCb collaboration.
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