The England international capped a fine performance with a late penalty as Enzo Maresca's side boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification
Chelsea moved level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle after beating Premier League champions Liverpool 3-1 in the Sunday sunshine. The Reds, fresh off being confirmed as the new kings of England, played with a carelessness and complacency of team with nothing to play for, allowing the youthful Blues to pounce and take advantage.
The hosts didn't waste any time in taking the lead, with the deadlock broken inside three minutes. Pedro Neto scampered away down the right and cut the ball back all the way through the Liverpool box to Enzo Fernandez, who had enough time to set himself before slotting past Alisson Becker.
Just before the break, Chelsea had the ball in the net again through Noni Madueke after he rounded Alisson, but the flag was raised for offside against Nicolas Jackson, who was standing way behind the last line when set through by Romeo Lavia.
Shortly after the interval, the Blues had their second in ludicrous circumstances. Cole Palmer's cut-back to Madueke was intercepted by Wataru Endo, but when Virgil van Dijk went to clear the loose ball, he hit it straight at Jarell Quansah's groin and it bobbled backwards into the net.
Palmer wanted a goal for himself and so nearly got it when he drifted in from the left and looked to sneak a shot under Alisson, only for his effort to bounce out off the post.
It was all set up for a nervy finish when Van Dijk pulled one back, rising high to head home and reduce Chelsea's advantage to one, but the Blues were given the opportunity to restore their two-goal advantage when Quansah tripped Moises Caicedo inside the penalty area in stoppage time, and Palmer took the chance to end his 18-game goal drought with a superb spot kick in the final seconds.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…
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Robert Sanchez (6/10):
Stamford Bridge quickly grew irritated at his wayward kicking (again), but made some smart saves on their way to victory.
Moises Caicedo (7/10):
One of two players in blue who spurned a move to Liverpool in 2023 and had to give them a guard of honour. Tucked into midfield from right-back and was given some trouble by Gakpo early on, but settled soon after. Shifted back into midfield for the last 15 minutes, at which point he really came alive with his industrious tenacity, eventually winning the last-gasp penalty.
Trevoh Chalobah (7/10):
Tried to play long passes in order to catch out Liverpool's high line, though usually to little avail. Solid in his defensive duties.
Levi Colwill (7/10):
Afforded licence to get high and aggressive with centre-forward Jota in one his finer showings this season.
Marc Cucurella (6/10):
Salah was determined to break further records this season, only to be moderately muzzled by the long-haired Spaniard. Lost Van Dijk too easily leading to the Reds' consolation.
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Romeo Lavia (8/10):
Oh, how different might Chelsea's last two seasons have looked if Lavia had been free of injury. Like Caicedo, decided to join the Blues over Liverpool, and though the champions won't have too many regrets over not getting that deal over the line, they were given quite the glimpse up close of his ability and potential here. Started the move which led to Fernandez's opener with a clever pass between two opponents into the feet of Palmer. Given a standing ovation from the home fans and some boos from the away end when withdrawn for Gusto.
Enzo Fernandez (8/10):
Got the ball rolling with a well-taken goal in the opening three minutes. Buzzed about midfield with less lethargy than usual, which was needed in order to harass Liverpool out of possession. Hooked for James late in the day when Chelsea had a one-goal lead to defend.
Cole Palmer (8/10):
Appeared back to his usual self here after a tough second half to the season. Zipped the ball quickly and looked to get his team-mates involved in swift transitions. Struck the post late on and must have thought it wouldn't be his day until his side were awarded a penalty, as he stepped up to end a run of 18 games without a goal.
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Pedro Neto (7/10):
A lot more prolific on his preferred right flank, teeing up Fernandez to break the deadlock. Gave Tsimikas the jitters when flying at him on the counter. Ended the game playing as the No.9.
Nicolas Jackson (5/10):
One of Jackson's more frustrating appearances, regularly finding himself offside and squandering simple passes. At least created some chances of his own with his work rate, though he did miss all of them. Subbed for Sancho.
Noni Madueke (7/10):
Like Neto, is benefitting from their wing swap. Used his directness and pace to breeze beyond Alexander-Arnold into vacant space. Shifted over to the right when Sancho was introduced.
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Jadon Sancho (6/10):
Brought on for Jackson and showed plenty of danger down the left wing, even testing Alisson with a close-range strike.
Malo Gusto (6/10):
On at right-back after replacing Lavia.
Reece James (N/A):
Took to the pitch for the final minutes in place of Fernandez.
Enzo Maresca (8/10):
For the most part, this was a tricky fixture that was in Chelsea's control, with only a late set-piece taking the shine off a huge win in the Blues' season.