Chelsea kept their Champions League ambitions alive with an impressive 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, handing the newly crowned Premier League champions a reality check.
Enzo Maresca’s men came out firing, with Enzo Fernandez giving the Blues a third-minute lead after slotting home from close range following a cross from Pedro Neto. Chelsea continued to dominate the first half, nearly doubling their lead through Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson.
The second half saw more drama as Cole Palmer’s low cross sparked chaos in the Liverpool box. A hurried clearance from Virgil van Dijk ricocheted off Jarell Quansah for an unfortunate own goal, doubling Chelsea’s lead in the 56th minute.
Liverpool pulled one back in the 85th minute when Van Dijk headed in from an Alexis Mac Allister corner. However, Chelsea sealed the win in stoppage time when Quansah tripped Moises Caicedo in the area, allowing Palmer to convert the penalty—his first goal since January.
Despite Liverpool’s title already secured with last week’s win over Tottenham, their lackluster performance was a letdown for fans. Manager Arne Slot rested several key players, a move that likely frustrated Chelsea’s top-four rivals.
Chelsea now sit fifth in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle, who drew 1-1 with Brighton earlier in the day. Sixth-placed Nottingham Forest could also join them on 63 points if they win against Crystal Palace on Monday.
Chelsea next face Djurgardens in the UEFA Conference League semi-final second leg on Thursday, holding a commanding 4-1 advantage.
