Chelsea strengthened their push for a Champions League spot with a 3-1 victory over newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Enzo Fernández gave the Blues an early lead, capitalizing on a shaky Liverpool defense. A bizarre own goal from Jarell Quansah in the second half doubled Chelsea’s advantage before Virgil van Dijk pulled one back for the visitors with a late header. However, Cole Palmer sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty, handing Liverpool just their third league defeat of the season.
Despite Liverpool having little to play for after securing a record-equalling 20th English title with last week’s 5-1 win over Tottenham, Chelsea entered the match highly motivated. The win keeps them level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle after the Magpies’ 1-1 draw at Brighton. Sixth-placed Nottingham Forest could also join the chase if they beat Crystal Palace on Monday.
With just three games remaining, third-placed Manchester City are only one point ahead of Chelsea, setting the stage for a thrilling race for the top five.
Chelsea will next focus on Thursday’s UEFA Conference League semi-final second leg against Djurgårdens, holding a strong 4-1 advantage from the first leg.
Before kickoff, Chelsea players formed a guard of honour for the new champions, though the gesture was met with boos from the home crowd. Arne Slot fielded a heavily rotated Liverpool side, resting several key players, perhaps with an eye on recovery after their title celebrations.
Chelsea wasted no time capitalizing, as Pedro Neto’s early cross found Fernández unmarked for the opener. Noni Madueke nearly added a second minutes later, while Nicolas Jackson and Neto also came close.
The second goal came in comedic fashion after a scramble in the box saw Van Dijk’s clearance cannon off Quansah into his own net. Palmer then hit the post before Van Dijk responded with a powerful header from a corner.
But Chelsea had the final say, as Quansah brought down Moises Caicedo in the dying moments, allowing Palmer to calmly slot home from the spot — his first goal since January — to secure a vital three points.
