According to reports, Chelsea hosted Liverpool, the early champions of the Premier League, in their home game of the 35th round and secured an important 3-1 victory. This win allowed the London Blues to reach 64 points, level with Newcastle in fourth place but placed fifth due to goal difference.

Team Lineups

Chelsea: Sanchez, Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Enzo Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson

Liverpool: Becker, Simikas, Van Dijk, Quansah, Arnold, Jones, Endo, Szoboszlai, Elliott, Salah, Diogo Jota

The first half started explosively for Chelsea. Just three minutes into the game, Cole Palmer made a clever pass to Pedro Neto on the right. Neto dribbled past Kostas Simikas and sent a low cross into the penalty area, where Enzo Fernandez timed his run perfectly, controlled the ball calmly, and slotted it past Alisson Becker to open the scoring for Chelsea.

This early goal electrified Stamford Bridge, which had been tense after booing Liverpool’s guard of honor, and put Chelsea in a better position. Liverpool, who had made six changes to their lineup and were without key players like Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz, were caught off guard early on.

After conceding, Liverpool took possession and tried to approach Chelsea’s goal with combination play. In the early minutes, Mohamed Salah dazzled with a brilliant dribble into the penalty area and created a chance for Curtis Jones, but his cross was intercepted by Robert Sanchez near the goal line.

However, Liverpool struggled with precision in their final passes, and Salah, who is usually dangerous in such situations, wasted several scoring opportunities with poor touches. Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Marchisio, defended in an organized manner and focused on counterattacks to extend their lead.

Chelsea’s closest chance for a second goal came in the 42nd minute. Palmer played a long ball from midfield to release Neto into an attacking position. The Portuguese winger cut inside and fired a low left-footed shot, aiming to keep the ball away from Alisson, but his effort hit the side netting, leaving the Blues fans breathless.

Chelsea went into halftime with just one shot on target. Their defensive strategy, combined with the high work rate of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in midfield, frustrated Liverpool.

The second half started cautiously for Liverpool, but Chelsea maintained control with the relentless running of Caicedo and Lavia in midfield. In the 51st minute, Van Dijk received the first yellow card for a late foul on Lavia, and moments later, Trevoh Chalobah was also booked for a foul on Curtis Jones. These tensions reflected the intensity of the match. In the 56th minute, Chelsea scored their second goal.

After Jones failed to clear the ball, Cole Palmer took possession on the left and played a low cross into the six-yard box, creating a dangerous situation. Van Dijk attempted to clear but inadvertently deflected the ball off Jarell Quansah, who scored an own goal. This goal, resulting from a series of Liverpool mistakes, delighted Chelsea fans.

Liverpool made attacking substitutions to recover. In the 57th minute, Conor Bradley replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold, and in the 58th minute, Darwin Nunez came on for Diogo Jota. In the 63rd minute, Van Dijk had a good chance from a Kostas Simikas corner but sent his header over the bar.

Chelsea also introduced fresh legs, with Jadon Sancho replacing Nicolas Jackson in the 72nd minute. In the 67th minute, Levi Colwill made a crucial headed clearance to deny Nunez a certain goal. These moments showed that Chelsea remained solid defensively despite sitting back.

Liverpool came close to reducing the deficit in the 77th minute. Simikas combined with Nunez to deliver a precise cross to the far post, where Salah rose highest but headed just wide. Chelsea also had a golden opportunity in the 81st minute. Palmer burst past Bradley and fired a shot from a tight angle that hit the post. At the same time, Malo Gusto replaced Lavia, allowing Caicedo to return to midfield, and Liverpool brought on Federico Chiesa for Simikas.

In the 85th minute, Liverpool pulled one back. Alexis Mac Allister delivered a high corner, and Van Dijk escaped Chalobah to head home from close range, making it 2-1. This goal spurred Liverpool to attack more in search of an equalizer, but Quansah dashed their hopes.

In the 90+5th minute, as everyone awaited the final whistle, Quansah fouled Caicedo, resulting in a penalty for Chelsea. Palmer stepped up and, despite Alisson Becker guessing the right way, powered the ball into the net for the third goal.

There was no time left for a comeback, and as soon as the referee blew the whistle to restart the game, he immediately blew for full-time, confirming Liverpool’s defeat at the home of the Blues.

Goal Descriptions

Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool

Cole Palmer played a cross-field pass to Pedro Neto on the right. Neto dribbled past Simikas and sent the ball into the penalty area, where Fernandez controlled it calmly and slotted it past Alisson in the third minute.

Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool

After Jones’ failed clearance, Cole Palmer took possession on the left and played a sharp pass into the six-yard box, creating a dangerous situation. Van Dijk attempted to clear but deflected the ball off Quansah, who scored an own goal in the 56th minute.

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

Alexis Mac Allister delivered a high corner to the near post. Van Dijk rose highest to head the ball powerfully into the top corner of Sanchez’s goal in the 85th minute.

Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool

Cole Palmer confidently converted a penalty in the 90+5th minute, beating Alisson Becker to score the final goal of the match.