Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge were treated to a dramatic finish as a 95th-minute winner from Estevão sealed a hard-earned 2-1 win over Liverpool in what was a tense and physically demanding encounter.
It was the perfect start for the Blues who broke the deadlock early in the first half. Moisés Caicedo, always eager to shoot from range, received a square ball from Gusto and launched a thunderous strike from 20 yards. The ball flew past Mamardashvili into the top-left corner, giving Chelsea a deserved lead from their first real attempt on goal. The roar from the home fans told the story—Caicedo, a player once courted by Liverpool, had given Chelsea the lead against their rivals.
Liverpool tried to build some rhythm through Isak and Salah on the right, but struggled to carve out real openings in the first half. Gakpo had one half-chance, and Szoboszlai saw his shot blocked from close range. A yellow card to Conor Bradley for dragging Cucurella down summed up Liverpool’s frustration in a half where they only managed one shot. The energy was there, but Chelsea’s compact setup didn’t allow much space to exploit.
The second half, though, brought a twist. Almost immediately after the restart, Gakpo brought Liverpool back into the game. Szoboszlai cut the ball back into the box, Isak controlled well, and Gakpo reacted quickest—sweeping the ball past Sanchez and into the top of the net. Chelsea fans were stunned. The Reds had equalized with their first real spell of pressure, completely against the run of play.
Still, Maresca’s Chelsea refused to panic. They controlled the midfield, and while Badiashile’s injury and Achampong’s later withdrawal left them short at the back, the introduction of Romeo Lavia and Jorrel Hato brought fresh legs. Liverpool had their moment—Salah’s curling shot early in the second half grazed the side netting, but the hosts stayed on top, especially through Neto and Garnacho on the flanks.
And then came the final act.
With the game seemingly destined for a draw, Chelsea found one more opening. In the 95th minute, Cucurella delivered a perfect low ball across the box and Estevão arrived unmarked to side-foot it calmly into the net. Bedlam at the Bridge. Three points secured. Liverpool beaten.
Caicedo might take the headlines, but Estevão’s winner showed the mentality Maresca has been demanding from this squad. They had control, lost it, and found their way back again.
Liverpool, for all their individual brilliance, looked disjointed. Salah’s decision-making frustrated. Szoboszlai was everywhere but couldn’t influence. Gakpo’s goal aside, the midfield lacked presence, and Chelsea took full advantage.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was professional. A night where Chelsea were short on defenders but rich in character. Three points. Two goals. One winner named Estevão.
