Chelsea brought newly crowned champions Liverpool back down to earth with an emphatic 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Despite Enzo Maresca’s pre-match warning that Liverpool wouldn’t ease up after sealing the Premier League title last weekend, the visitors looked off the pace—sluggish and disjointed throughout.
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The hosts struck early, with Enzo Fernández finishing a sharp move down the right flank just three minutes in. Chelsea’s relentless pressure down that same wing paid off again in the 56th minute, though their second goal came in bizarre fashion. A clearance rebounded off Virgil van Dijk and struck an unfortunate Jarell Quansah square in the groin before ricocheting into the net—an uncomfortable moment both physically and visually.
Liverpool, largely ineffective in open play, finally found a response in the 85th minute through a trademark van Dijk header from a set piece, injecting late drama into the match.
But any hopes of a comeback were snuffed out in stoppage time when Cole Palmer coolly converted a penalty, sealing a deserved win and capping off a standout performance from both him and the team.
Chelsea’s victory served as a sharp reminder that, even against champions, they remain a threat on their day.