Chelsea delivered when it mattered most — defeating newly crowned champions Liverpool 3–1 to stay firmly in the race for Champions League qualification.

While Liverpool, having already secured the title, entered the match without pressure or urgency, it was a different story for Enzo Maresca’s side. Chelsea needed nothing less than a win — and they got just that at Stamford Bridge.

The hosts struck early. In the third minute, Enzo Fernández found the net to give Chelsea a dream start. The lead doubled when Jarell Quansah inadvertently turned Cole Palmer’s cross into his own net, making it 2–0 after the break.

Liverpool did manage to respond, with Virgil van Dijk heading in from a corner to pull one back, but Chelsea weren’t done — and neither was Cole Palmer. Deep into stoppage time, the in-form forward calmly converted a penalty to seal a crucial 3–1 win for the Blues.

It was just Liverpool’s third defeat of the season, but for Chelsea, the result was massive — keeping them inside the top five with only three matches left to play.

View the full 2024/25 Premier League standings

2024-25, England - Premier League

Chelsea - Liverpool 3:1 (1:0)
Goals: Fernandez E., 3 (1:0); Quansah, 56 (own goal) (2:0); van Dijk, 85 (2:1); Palmer Co., 90 (penalty) (3:1)

Chelsea: Sanchez Ro.; Colwill; Chalobah; Cucurella; Lavia (Gusto, 78); Fernandez E. (James R., 88); Madueke; Palmer Co.; Caicedo M.; Jackson N. (Sancho, 72); Pedro Neto
Bench: Jörgensen F.; Adarabioyo; Badiashile B.; Acheampong J. K.; Dewsbury-Hall; George
Yellow Cards: Chalobah 54; Sancho 84

Liverpool: Alisson; Endo W. (Mac Allister A., 69); van Dijk; Tsimikas (Chiesa F., 82); Alexander-Arnold (Bradley C., 58); Quansah; Jones Cur.; Salah; Elliott H. (Szoboszlai, 69); Jota (Núñez D., 58); Gakpo
Bench: Kelleher; Konate; Robertson A.; Luis Díaz
Yellow Cards: van Dijk 51; Quansah 58