Chelsea secured a famous and hard-fought 2-1 victory at home against defending champions Liverpool on Saturday evening, thanks to a dramatic 95th-minute winner from substitute Estêvão. The win was a huge boost for Enzo Maresca’s side, but it came at a significant cost as their defensive injury crisis deepened.
Caicedo stunner gives Chelsea early control
The Blues started with impressive intensity, and their dominance was rewarded in the 14th minute when Moisés Caicedo unleashed a scorching drive from range that flew into the top corner.
A second-half injury nightmare
The game’s complexion changed after the break as Chelsea‘s injury woes mounted. Centre-back Benoît Badiashile limped off, and it wasn’t long before Cody Gakpo stabbed home an equaliser for the visitors. Incredibly, another centre-back, Josh Acheampong, was also forced off, leaving Maresca with five unavailable central defenders.
Late drama at the Bridge
Despite the setbacks, Chelsea pushed for a winner. A stoppage-time header from Enzo Fernández struck the post, but in the 95th minute, a cross from Marc Cucurella found substitute Estêvão, who slid in to finish and send Stamford Bridge into delirium.
Player Ratings and Team Lineups
(Ratings provided by FotMob)
Chelsea Player Ratings (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Robert Sánchez – 6.8, RB: Reece James – 7.8, CB: Josh Acheampong – 6.7, CB: Benoît Badiashile – 6.8, LB: Marc Cucurella – 8.4, DM: Malo Gusto – 8.0, DM: Moisés Caicedo – 8.1, RM: Pedro Neto – 6.9, AM: Enzo Fernández – 7.4, LM: Alejandro Garnacho – 7.5, ST: João Pedro – 6.2
Liverpool Player Ratings (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili – 6.5, RB: Conor Bradley – 6.0, CB: Ibrahima Konaté – 6.6, CB: Virgil van Dijk – 6.8, LB: Milos Kerkez – 6.4, DM: Ryan Gravenberch – 6.6, DM: Alexis Mac Allister – 6.8, RW: Mohamed Salah – 6.3, AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.1, LW: Cody Gakpo – 8.0, ST: Alexander Isak – 6.9