With just over 10 minutes on the clock, Chelsea pulled ahead. Moises Caicedo, who very nearly joined Liverpool back in 2023, was afforded too much space on the edge of the 18-yard-box, and he punished the visitors for their nonchalant defending with a piledriver from distance.
The hosts wanted a penalty late in the first half when Alejandro Garnacho was felled by Dominik Szoboszlai, only for their protests to amount to nothing, with both referee Anthony Taylor and the VAR deeming there was insufficient contact to award a spot kick.
Liverpool should have been level within a minute of the restart when substitute Florian Wirtz teed up Mohamed Salah, who somehow fired wide with the goal gaping and Chelsea got away with a lapse in concentration at the back. On 63 minutes, the Blues weren’t as lucky when Alexander Isak brilliantly brought down a high cross from Szoboszlai for Cody Gakpo to slot home.
Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian both emerged from the bench to bring fine saves out of Giorgi Mamardashvili as the clock ran down, while the Brazilian winger’s cross for Enzo Fernandez was nodded narrowly wide in added time.
That was the prelude to the final minutes of a chaotic match as Chelsea successfully threw everything into one final attack, where Marc Cucurella drove a low cross right through the Liverpool box for Estevao to convert at the back post and send the home supporters into bedlam. Maresca was shown a red card for sprinting down the touchline in celebration as his side closed out a huge win in their season.
BALLGM rates Chelsea’s players from Stamford Bridge…
With just over 10 minutes on the clock, Chelsea pulled ahead. Moises Caicedo, who very nearly joined Liverpool back in 2023, was afforded too much space on the edge of the 18-yard-box, and he punished the visitors for their nonchalant defending with a piledriver from distance.
The hosts wanted a penalty late in the first half when Alejandro Garnacho was felled by Dominik Szoboszlai, only for their protests to amount to nothing, with both referee Anthony Taylor and the VAR deeming there was insufficient contact to award a spot kick.
Liverpool should have been level within a minute of the restart when substitute Florian Wirtz teed up Mohamed Salah, who somehow fired wide with the goal gaping and Chelsea got away with a lapse in concentration at the back. On 63 minutes, the Blues weren’t as lucky when Alexander Isak brilliantly brought down a high cross from Szoboszlai for Cody Gakpo to slot home.
Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian both emerged from the bench to bring fine saves out of Giorgi Mamardashvili as the clock ran down, while the Brazilian winger’s cross for Enzo Fernandez was nodded narrowly wide in added time.
That was the prelude to the final minutes of a chaotic match as Chelsea successfully threw everything into one final attack, where Marc Cucurella drove a low cross right through the Liverpool box for Estevao to convert at the back post and send the home supporters into bedlam. Maresca was shown a red card for sprinting down the touchline in celebration as his side closed out a huge win in their season.
BALLGM rates Chelsea’s players from Stamford Bridge…
Robert Sanchez (6/10):
Opened up Liverpool a couple of times with long kicks over the top, though annoyed the home fans with wayward passing at a shorter distance. Made a couple of comfortable saves.
Reece James (8/10):
Was expected to start in midfield but instead slotted into the back four as the more conventional right-back. Moved to centre-back after Badiashile went off. Couldn’t do much about stopping Isak’s assist for Szoboszlai but made a vital interception to block a cross bound for the Swedish striker afterwards. Stood up as a leader when Chelsea needed one to keep their heads.
Josh Acheampong (6/10):
Made a fine account of himself on another rare start before succumbing to an injury shortly after Liverpool’s leveller.
Benoit Badiashile (7/10):
Did superbly well to contain the threat of Salah coming inside before being forced off with injury shortly after the break.
Marc Cucurella (8/10):
Got under Salah’s skin to contribute to a really sloppy evening for the Egyptian on another return to Stamford Bridge. Popped up with the match-winning assist.
Malo Gusto (4/10):
A surprise starter in midfield instead of James. Looked unnatural in that role for long stretches but did technically get the assist for Caicedo. Moved back into defence once Badiashile was substituted and notably lost the run of Gakpo for the equaliser.
Moises Caicedo (8/10):
Opened the scoring with a sensational strike from over 20 yards against the team who wanted him so desperately two years ago. Brought that usual crunch in midfield though didn’t have a lot of support from a creative standpoint.
Enzo Fernandez (5/10):
At times it was easy to forget that the Argentine World Cup winner was even on the pitch, particularly when Liverpool gained control of the contest.
Pedro Neto (6/10):
Put in one hell of a shift to help cover whoever the right-back was at any given time. Found little joy trying to break Liverpool down, mind. Subbed for Estevao.
Joao Pedro (5/10):
Found himself extremely isolated up against Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Eventually replaced by Guiu.
Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):
A live-wire that Liverpool struggled to contain, even if his end-product was lacking. Taken off for Gittens.
Romeo Lavia (6/10):
On for the injured Badiashile. Opened play up nicely with his trademark drops of the shoulder.
Jorrel Hato (5/10):
Replaced Acheampong after he too pulled up but was far from assured when trying to nullify Salah.
Estevao Willian (9/10):
Introduced for Neto. Got fans on their feet every time he touched the ball, such was his unpredictability, and was fully deserving of scoring the winning goal. Phenomenal.
Marc Guiu (5/10):
Brought on for Pedro as Chelsea turned to a more physical No.9.
Jamie Gittens (6/10):
Came on for Garnacho. Like Estevao was a handful for the Liverpool defenders.
Enzo Maresca (7/10):
It was quite an ugly contest for the most part, but Maresca’s men were great value for the three points amid their injury woes. Picked up a red card for his celebrations for the winner but not too sure he’ll care.
