Chelsea strengthened their Champions League qualification prospects with an impressive 3-1 victory over newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Fernandez gave the Blues an early lead, finishing from close range after just three minutes when Liverpool’s defense failed to track his run. Chelsea dominated the opening exchanges, with Noni Madueke nearly extending their advantage and Nicolas Jackson hitting the crossbar.
The hosts doubled their lead in the second half through a bizarre own goal. After Curtis Jones lost possession, Cole Palmer’s cutback intended for Madueke deflected off Virgil van Dijk and then Jarell Quansah before finding the net.
Liverpool captain Van Dijk reduced the deficit with a header from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner late in the game, but Palmer sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty after Quansah fouled Moises Caicedo. The goal ended Palmer’s four-month scoring drought and sparked jubilant celebrations among the home supporters.
The result moves Chelsea level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle and three points clear of Nottingham Forest in sixth, significantly boosting their hopes of securing Champions League football next season under Enzo Maresca.
For Liverpool, the defeat marked a disappointing first outing since clinching the Premier League title with their 5-1 win over Tottenham. Manager Arne Slot made six changes to his starting lineup, giving opportunities to Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, and Quansah, but his rotated side struggled to match Chelsea’s intensity throughout the contest.
Despite the loss, Liverpool’s traveling supporters remained in celebratory mood, having already secured the club’s second Premier League championship. Their focus will now turn to finishing the season strongly before Slot begins preparations for his first full campaign in charge at Anfield.
The match highlighted Chelsea’s potential under Maresca, with Palmer once again demonstrating his importance to the team’s attacking play, coming close to scoring a remarkable individual goal when he hit the post before eventually converting from the penalty spot.
