Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool: Last minute goal from Estêvão condemns Liverpool to third consecutive loss | OneFootball

Chelsea’s Estêvão Willian scored a dramatic winner in the 96th minute of the Blues’ Premier League clash against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, condemning Arne Slot’s side to a third loss on the bounce after recent defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.

Liverpool’s hopes for redemption came down in tatters after Chelsea delivered an impeccable performance – and while it is still very early in the season, three consecutive losses do spark doubts about Slot’s plan for the squad. The Reds have a whole host of issues to address quickly if they want to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League; their defence is slow to respond, their midfield looks disheveled and their star players lack communication.

As it happened

Chelsea started the first half well. Moises Caicedo struck the ball from 20 yards out to deliver the first blow against the visitors, weaving through a sluggish Liverpool defence before striking the ball into Giorgi Mamardashvili’s goal to net the opener. Liverpool’s response was disappointing: they failed to take chances to fight back and did not resemble the glorious Premier League champions we saw last season. The remainder of Chelsea’s first half was strong, although injuries for Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong before the break weakened their defence and midfield.

Liverpool entered the second half appearing stronger. Slot introduced Florian Wirtz off the bench to offer a glimpse of hope towards redemption and his impact on the Reds was immediate. The team looked more confident and aggressive, with Mohammed Salah tantalisingly close to scoring an equaliser in the 46th minute, firing the ball towards Robert Sánchez’s goal but narrowly finding the side netting instead.

Cody Gakpo proved to be Liverpool’s saviour in the 63rd minute, turning home after Alexander Isak’s latched onto a fantastic cross by Dominik Szoboszlai.

But there was still time for one final turn, as Chelsea’s Estêvão found a chance for glory and took it in stoppage time. The 18-year old volleyed Marc Cucurella’s cross into the bottom of the goal, scoring his first ever official goal for Chelsea. Mamardashvili – standing in for injured Alisson Becker – had no time to react, leaving Liverpool’s hope to secure a draw in the dust. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca joined his team’s celebrations following Estêvão’s miraculous goal, leaving referee Anthony Taylor no choice but to book the Italian for his participation.

The lineups