Chelsea moved a step closer to sealing a top-five finish in the Premier League as they beat newly crowned champions Liverpool 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Unbeaten in eight of their last nine in the league, the Blues demonstrated their appetite and urgency against a heavily-rotated Reds.
Enzo Fernández had given the visitors the lead after just three minutes following a slick passing move between Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto. Chelsea remained dangerous, and Noni Madueke went close to doubling their lead. Liverpool had the odd period with the ball but little killer in the final third.
Chelsea doubled their lead in the second half with a freak goal. A low cross from Palmer was poorly dealt with by Virgil van Dijk, bouncing off his own team-mate Jarrell Quansah and into the net for an own goal. Liverpool rallied with Van Dijk atoning for his mistake by heading in from a corner to pull a goal back.
But Cole Palmer secured the win four minutes into stoppage time from the penalty spot, Quansah fouling Moisés Caicedo. Related Story The Blues are now three points clear of Nottingham Forest in the race for European football, although Liverpool’s defeat, albeit of little consequence to their title celebrations, was a reminder of the recovery Chelsea’s squad has made.
