Blues Beat Reds: Chelsea's Late Penalty Seals 3-1 Victory Over Liverpool

Cole Palmer's penalty sealed a 3-1 victory for Chelsea over Liverpool, as the Blues kept their top-four aspirations intact despite facing a demanding run-in.

Chelsea players and fans erupted in celebration after their 3-1 win over Liverpool, but the team faces even tougher challenges as they aim to secure a Champions League spot. The Stamford Bridge crowd sang along to “One Step Beyond” by Madness, while manager Enzo Maresca and his staff shared jubilant moments on the pitch and touchline.

The victory marked a significant moment for Chelsea, but Maresca is aware that more demanding tests lie ahead in their pursuit of a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League.

“Today probably the environment was the best environment of this season with the fans, this is what we need every game, fantastic. It is so good,” Maresca told reporters.

“The reason why the staff, the coaching staff, the players at the end are so happy, even the fans, is because at this stage of the season you need to win games.”

Chelsea secured a 3-1 win over Liverpool, with Enzo Fernandez scoring early and Jarell Quansah netting an own goal to give them a 2-0 lead. Virgil van Dijk pulled one back for Liverpool with a header in the 85th minute, but Cole Palmer sealed the victory with a penalty in the final moments of the game.

The win kept Chelsea in fifth place, one of the Champions League qualifying spots, narrowing the gap with teams above them in the table. The jubilant atmosphere at Stamford Bridge contrasted sharply with mid-April when tensions ran high after a 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town, prompting manager Enzo Maresca to criticize “the environment” in the stadium.

Despite the celebratory mood at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea recognizes that the toughest challenges lie ahead in their pursuit of a Champions League spot. Liverpool, crowned English champions, fielded a weakened lineup, but Chelsea's upcoming fixtures are demanding, with trips to Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, both chasing a top-four finish.

That win is massive! 🔵#CFC | #CHELIV pic.twitter.com/c00qstW6BW

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 4, 2025

Chelsea also host Manchester United, who are looking to end the season on a high note, adding to the difficulty of their final three matches. These upcoming games will be crucial in determining Chelsea's chances of rejoining Europe's elite.

Maresca emphasized a match-by-match approach for the season's finale, but highlighted the importance of Cole Palmer's goal on Sunday. Palmer, who had scored 14 goals in Chelsea's first 21 games, had gone nearly four months without finding the net, making his recent goal a significant boost.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed disappointment at not building on their title-winning success, but praised his players for dominating possession against Chelsea and scoring a goal that maintained their record of finding the net in every away league game this season.

Slot also noted his surprise at Chelsea's dramatic decline in form, saying, “I expected them to be a threat this season. To be (19) points ahead of them is a big compliment.” This remark underscored Liverpool's impressive season and Chelsea's challenges in their pursuit of a top-four finish.