Chelsea bolstered their Champions League ambitions with an impressive 3-1 win over Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
It was a game that saw the Blues dominate from the start, while a much-rotated and weary Liverpool side struggled to keep pace after their recent title celebrations.
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring for Chelsea just three minutes into the match, calmly finishing a low cross from Pedro Neto. Liverpool’s defence looked unprepared and out of sync, allowing the Argentine midfielder to find space in the box and fire past Alisson Becker.
Chelsea came close to adding to their early lead on several occasions. Noni Madueke dribbled past defenders with ease but sent his shot narrowly wide, while Nicolas Jackson’s cross ricocheted off the crossbar. Neto also tested Alisson with a driven shot that missed by inches, showing the Blues’ attacking intent.
Liverpool, playing without several key starters including Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai, looked far from their best. Arne Slot’s decision to rest major players seemed to cost the Reds, as they appeared sluggish and out of rhythm. Chelsea fans voiced their displeasure during Liverpool’s guard of honour entrance, adding to the tense atmosphere.
The second goal came in unusual fashion in the 56th minute. Cole Palmer’s cross into the box created chaos, and after a failed clearance by Virgil van Dijk hit Jarell Quansah, the ball bounced into the Liverpool net for an unfortunate own goal.
Although Van Dijk pulled one back with a powerful header in the 85th minute, it wasn’t enough. Moments later, Quansah fouled Moises Caicedo in the box, and Palmer stepped up to convert the penalty in stoppage time, sealing the win.
This victory keeps Chelsea in fifth place, level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle, who had earlier drawn 1-1 with Brighton. Manchester City remain just a point ahead in third, making the race for the top five increasingly intense with only three games remaining.
Chelsea will now shift focus to their UEFA Conference League semi-final second leg against Djurgardens, where they hold a strong 4-1 lead. The Blues are inching closer to a European final, a potential first under manager Enzo Maresca.
Liverpool, on the other hand, suffered just their third league loss of the season, having previously fallen to Nottingham Forest and Fulham. The Reds’ title celebrations seemed to have taken a toll, as they looked far from the dominant force seen in recent weeks.
