Chelsea 3–1 Liverpool: Palmer and Fernández shine as Blues dent champions’ momentum | OneFootball

Newly crowned champions Liverpool fell to a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on 4th May, as Cole Palmer’s injury-time penalty sealed an important win for a Chelsea side still scrapping for Champions League qualification.

First-half goals from Enzo Fernández and a Quansah own goal put the hosts in control before Virgil van Dijk pulled one back late on. But Palmer stepped up deep into stoppage time to seal victory and move the Blues level on points with Newcastle United in fourth.

As it happened

Chelsea stunned Liverpool with an early opener inside three minutes. Pedro Neto, a threat all game, cut in from the right and squared for Enzo Fernández, who took a touch and calmly guided a side-footed finish beyond Alisson to give the hosts the perfect start.

Liverpool looked disjointed and sluggish despite their dominance of possession. The Reds failed to create clear chances, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo both guilty of wasteful touches in promising areas.

Shortly after the break, Chelsea doubled their advantage in chaotic fashion. Cole Palmer’s low cross was turned into the net by Jarell Quansah after a clearance ricocheted off the defender’s chest.

Slot turned to his bench, introducing Darwin Núñez and Alexis Mac Allister, and the Argentine midfielder soon made an impact. His outswinging corner was met by Van Dijk, who rose above Chalobah to nod past Robert Sánchez and halve the deficit.

But just as Liverpool pressed for an equaliser, a dreadful backpass from Dominik Szoboszlai allowed Moisés Caicedo to pounce. Quansah clipped the Ecuadorian in the box, and Palmer stepped up to send Alisson the wrong way and confirm all three points for Chelsea.

The lineups

CHE: Sánchez; Cucurella, Colwill, Chalobah, Caicedo; Fernández, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.