Cole Palmer finally broke his long-standing goal drought as Chelsea secured a crucial 3-1 victory over newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The win not only bolstered Chelsea’s chances of finishing in the top four but also showed their growth under manager Enzo Maresca. Palmer, who had gone 18 matches without scoring, delivered a stellar performance throughout the game and sealed Chelsea’s win with a well-taken penalty in stoppage time. The match started brightly for the home side, with Enzo Fernandez finishing off a brilliant team move involving Palmer and Pedro Neto just three minutes into the game. Liverpool tried to assert control for large spells in the first half but struggled to convert their dominance into goals. Neto nearly added a second for Chelsea before halftime, his shot narrowly missing the target as it hit the side netting.
The second half saw more composure and tactical maturity from Chelsea. Their persistence paid off when Palmer, once again instrumental in the build-up, forced a rushed clearance from Virgil van Dijk. The clearance ricocheted off young defender Jarell Quansah and ended up in Liverpool’s net, handing Chelsea a 2-0 lead. Liverpool continued to press forward, desperate to claw their way back into the match. They were rewarded when Van Dijk scored a late header, briefly giving the visitors hope of a comeback. However, Quansah's difficult outing worsened when he gave away a penalty in stoppage time. Palmer stepped up confidently and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to confirm all three points for the Blues. His goal, although late, was a huge personal moment and a sign that he could be vital for Chelsea as they enter the final stretch of the season.
With this impressive result, Chelsea remain firmly in the top five, now level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle and just four points behind second-placed Arsenal, with only three matches remaining. Their upcoming fixtures include a critical UEFA Conference League semi-final second leg against Djurgarden at Stamford Bridge, where they’ll aim to book a place in the final. After that, they will travel to face Newcastle in what could be a decisive Premier League showdown for European qualification. Meanwhile, Liverpool, who have already secured the league title, suffered only their third loss of the season and will look to bounce back when they host title-chasing Arsenal at Anfield. Despite already clinching the trophy, Liverpool will want to finish the campaign strong, particularly against top opposition. The match was a reminder of Chelsea’s potential and a sign that under Maresca, they may soon be contenders once again.
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