Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE: Cole Palmer ends goal drought to wrap up win over Premier League champions
Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool: The Blues moved level on points with Newcastle in the race for the Champions League after claiming a massive win
Chelsea claimed a huge victory over newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool to take a step closer to returning to the Champions League next season.
Enzo Maresca’s side rolled out a guard of honour for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge but the Reds, who were crowned champions last weekend, lacked their usual sharpness after Arne Slot made six changes.
Chelsea took the lead after just three minutes when Enzo Fernandez finished off an excellent move that was sparked by the brilliant Cole Palmer, who ended his goal drought by converting a late penalty.
The Blues were handed a gift of a second when Virgil van Dijk cleared into Jarell Quansah and the ball ricocheted into the back of the net. Van Dijk pulled one back with a towering header, but Chelsea managed to hold.
The victory, which was Chelsea’s first over Liverpool in 11 attempts, moves Maresca’s side level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle, who they visit next week. Defeat for Liverpool was only their third of the Premier League campaign.
Follow all of the action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:
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Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
47 mins: An early look for Jackson on the edge of the box but he rather snatches at the chance and it dribbles back to Alisson.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Back underway!
Liverpool have only failed to score four times this season, and not in the Premier League since a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in September.
HALF TME! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Fans of Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Aston Villa will be supporting Arne Slot’s side in this second half... the title may be won but there is plenty still to play for.
Second half coming up next.
HALF TME! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
Chelsea have not beaten Liverpool since a 1-0 victory at Anfield in March 2021. Thomas Tuchel was their manager then, and they would finish the season as European champions.
They are without a win against Liverpool in 10 attempts since then, but are halfway there...
HALF TME! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
The champions are behind with Chelsea leading thanks to Fernandez’s third-minute goal. It’s been a good showing from Chelsea, with Palmer looking sharp, all a little subdued from Liverpool.
As it stands, Chelsea are on their way to a huge win.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
42 mins: NO GOAL! Chance for Chelsea. Madueke walks it in but Jackson was offside in the build-up when Liverpool’s defence stepped up and he was caught.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
41 mins: CLOSE! Almost a quickfire strike from Chelsea before half-time! Palmer finds some space and makes more for Neto on the right. The winger cuts inside but then fires wide of Alisson’s near post.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
39 mins: Liverpool do have plenty of options to call upon if Slot wants to revert back to his more usual team, with all of Diaz, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Robertson and Konate on the bench.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
36 mins: Better spell from Chelsea, just breaking up the pressure that was building from Liverpool. The champions go down the other end and win a corner that Alexander-Arnold swings in. Sanchez punches away.
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