LONDON Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard had his red card against Liverpool overturned Tuesday to avoid a three-game suspension.

Lampard was sent off in the 60th minute of Chelseas 2-0 Premier League loss at Anfield on Sunday for a sliding challenge on Xabi Alonso, but television replays suggested he played the ball. The Blues appealed the decision by referee Mike Riley and the Football Association rescinded the red card.

Lampard is now free to play in league games against Hull and Aston Villa with an FA Cup match with Watford in between.

It is the second time in 10 months that Lampard has won an appeal against a red card. He was sent off against West Ham in March last year and had that overturned, too.

The decision is Chelseas second disciplinary boost in two days.

On Monday, the FA said it would take no action against defender Jose Bosingwa, even though the Portugal right back kicked Liverpools Yossi Benayoun in the back as the Israeli international shielded the ball near the corner flag.

The FA said that because the match officials saw the incident and took no action it was prohibited to take disciplinary measures.