Chelsea strengthened their Champions League qualification hopes with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, as the Premier League champions suffered a post-title hangover.
The Blues took the lead early through Enzo Fernandez, who scored a well-taken goal from Pedro Neto’s cross. Jarell Quansah’s own goal in the 56th minute doubled Chelsea’s advantage, with Virgil van Dijk’s late header providing a brief response for Liverpool. However, Cole Palmer sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty after Quansah fouled Moises Caicedo.
While Liverpool had little to play for after securing a record-equalling 20th league title, Chelsea had everything to gain in their push for a top-five finish and a spot in next season’s Champions League. The win lifted the Blues to fifth place, level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle, who drew 1-1 at Brighton earlier in the day. Sixth-placed Nottingham Forest could join Chelsea and Newcastle on 63 points if they defeat Crystal Palace on Monday. With just three matches remaining, the battle for the top five is set to go down to the wire.
Chelsea’s next challenge comes in the UEFA Conference League semi-final, where they hold a 4-1 lead over Djurgardens ahead of Thursday’s second leg, putting them in a strong position to reach their first final under manager Enzo Maresca.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have only lost twice in the league this season, both to lower-ranked teams, and their trip to West London saw them field a heavily rotated squad. Manager Arne Slot rested several key players, including Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Andrew Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate, a move that may raise concerns among Chelsea’s rivals for a top-five finish.
Chelsea fans greeted Liverpool’s pre-match guard of honour with boos, and the atmosphere in the stadium was charged as Liverpool supporters celebrated their title triumph. However, it was Chelsea who made their mark early, taking the lead within three minutes when Fernandez slotted home after a defensive mix-up.
Chelsea remained a constant threat throughout the first half, with Noni Madueke narrowly missing a goal and Nicolas Jackson hitting the crossbar. In the second half, the Blues were gifted a second goal when Van Dijk’s attempted clearance off a Palmer cross deflected into the net off Quansah.
Liverpool managed to pull one back late, with Van Dijk heading home from a Mac Allister corner in the 85th minute, but Palmer’s penalty in stoppage time put the result beyond doubt, condemning the champions to only their third league defeat of the season.
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