Chelsea does the unthinkable and shakes up the Champions League hunt | OneFootball

Chelsea defeated newly crowned champions Liverpool 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in Matchweek 35 of the Premier League, re-entering the race for a spot in next season's Champions League. Goals for the home team were netted by Enzo Fernández, own goal by Quansah, and Cole Palmer. The only goal for Liverpool was netted by Van Dijk. With the work, the Londoners put 63 points on the board, the same as Newcastle, and snapped a 10-game losing streak against their nemesis.

Rapid opening at Stamford Bridge

The match had barely started when Chelsea showed it was prepared to rumble, even against the newly crowned champions. Three minutes into play, Pedro Neto ripped up the right flank and sent a low cross. The ball got to Enzo Fernández who was alone inside the box. The Argentine collected a touch before slotting low past Alisson from close proximity. The goal early on gave the tone to the game and made it clear what sort of attitude the home team had to the game.

Chelsea FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League | Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

Liverpool tried to counterattack. Diogo Jota got a fine chance with a volley from a deflected cross but could not find the mark. Gakpo shot down the left and had Robert Sánchez make a good save. The match remained fast, and both clubs played attacking football with plenty of space on the field.

Alexander-Arnold's attempt was blocked by Marc Cucurella. Moisés Caicedo had one that kissed the top of the crossbar. Morais narrowed the lead at the 20-minute mark. Chelsea continued to apply pressure without losing defensive equilibrium.

Liverpool had more possession, but Chelsea were a bigger threat in the box. The match was at top technical level throughout, with both teams well-organized and each constantly searching for the gap. Even after the title was already in their hands, the Reds did not seem relaxed, and this again helped the performance of Chelsea.

Second strike

In the second half, Madueke was Chelsea's busiest player. He started two promising attacks from midfield to the final third, but Liverpool's defense cut them off before he could fire. The visitors continued to hold up the ball, but Chelsea were patient and waited for the right moment.

In the 59th minute, Cole Palmer made a good run down the right and launched a sharp cross into the six-yard box. Van Dijk tried to clear it, but the ball bounced off Quansah and into the goal. It was a messy own goal, but it showed Chelsea's pressure and positioning in the attacking third.

Chelsea FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League | Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

Van Dijk pulls one back, Palmer closes the door

In the 85th minute, Liverpool finally broke through. From a corner kick taken by Alexis Mac Allister, Van Dijk jumped above the defense and headed in to tie the score at 2-1. The score added late drama to the match.

As Chelsea defended deeper and Liverpool hunted the equalizer, the game appeared to be slipping away. But the home side responded with ruthless precision. During stoppage time, Palmer came running down the left and was hacked down inside the box. The referee gave a penalty, and Palmer offered to take it himself. Unfazed and unruffled, he pushed the ball home and put the game to bed at 3-1.

Breaking the streak and creating history

This was Chelsea's first win over Liverpool since March 2021. The teams had clashed 10 times over that span, posting seven draws and three losses for the Blues. The win also placed Liverpool in a uncomfortable statistical bracket. The Reds became only the fourth team in Premier League history to have lost their first game after winning the title. The rest were Arsenal in 1997/98, Chelsea in 2005/06, and Liverpool themselves in 2019/20.