Three things we learned from Chelsea win as defenders shine amid injury crisis and Estevao makes big statement | OneFootball

Chelsea receive yet another red card but Enzo Maresca’s ill-discipline doesn’t overshadow a huge win

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Chelsea earned one of their most dramatic victories of the Clearlake Capital-Todd Boehly era as Estevao’s 95th-minute winner downed leaders Liverpool and sent the Blues into the October international break with back-to-back wins and a spring in their step.

Chelsea are up to sixth and need to ensure beating Arne Slot’s side is a springboard now — even if they must contend with a break in momentum as they pause first for the October internationals.

Estevao earns a crucial win

Chelsea were no longer under pressure for a victory after Tuesday’s nervy 1-0 win over Benfica, but the need to produce a first truly convincing performance in a long while still lingered.

They more than delivered. Liverpool’s threat was restricted to counter-attacking at pace as Maresca’s men did a number on them, controlling proceedings in terms of possession and tenaciously sticking their foot into the tackle whenever they lost the ball.

For Estevao, what a fairytale ending to the game. The 18-year-old is a star in the making, and this was a significant chapter in his rapid development under the Blues’ watch.

Winning goal: Estevao

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

His cameo only lasted for 15 minutes plus stoppage time, but that proved more than enough time for the Brazilian teen to strut his stuff, take appropriate risks, show his unbridled positivity with the ball at his feet, and hang around at the back post to convert the winner in the fifth minute added on after a fine low cross by the dogged, tireless Marc Cucurella.

Estevao’s broad grin would not abate from them onwards, as he celebrated by the corner flag and then, after full-time, went round every team-mate with that beaming smile still as wide.

Chelsea defenders shine

What a challenge Maresca faced in naming his backline for this game, with Trevoh Chalobah suspended, Wesley Fofana still observing the concussion protocol, and Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo both injured.

Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile were unfortunate to both go off injured in the second half, but to that point they had been excellent, filling in with eight Chelsea players out.

Acheampong showed a maturity beyond his 19 years, marauding forward with the ball at his feet and never looking flappable.

Badiashile was similarly composed, stepping up again following his assured display against Benfica. When passing lanes to Cucurella were blocked off by Liverpool, he twice dinked over them and into Cucurella’s path. He also made a key block from an early Dominik Szoboszlai goal-bound shot.

Impressive: Josh Acheampong

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Maresca may come to need these men even if others return after international break. He will be hoping their injuries are not serious.

Malo Gusto started as a holding midfielder and was impressive there, winning the ball and moving it on quickly, receiving from Robert Sanchez from deep and even assisting Caicedo’s stonking goal.

Reece James, who started at right-back, moved to centre-back after the injuries, with Gusto then at right-back. It worked just as well for the Blues as James resisted pressure and played round or through the Liverpool press.

Ill-discipline. AGAIN!

Oh the irony that Maresca was the man to be sent off this time after spending weeks telling his players they must clean up their act.

The manager himself was dismissed and sent down the tunnel for the final two minutes of action for his overzealous celebration in which he bombed out of the technical area and darted down to the corner flag to join his joyous players. He had already been booked and was duly shown a second — and given his marching orders.

Red card: Enzo Maresca

AFP via Getty Images

It comes after red cards to Sanchez against Manchester United, Chalobah against Brighton and Joao Pedro against Benfica.

Time for Maresca to practice what he preaches! He will now serve a suspension against Nottingham Forest on October 18 and cannot take his place in his technical area. To be fair, he seemed determined to abandon it here against Liverpool anyway!