Chelsea claimed a huge victory over newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool to take a step closer to returning to the Champions League next season.
Enzo Maresca’s side rolled out a guard of honour for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge but the Reds, who were crowned champions last weekend, lacked their usual sharpness after Arne Slot made six changes.
Chelsea took the lead after just three minutes when Enzo Fernandez finished off an excellent move that was sparked by the brilliant Cole Palmer, who ended his goal drought by converting a late penalty.
The Blues were handed a gift of a second when Virgil van Dijk cleared into Jarell Quansah and the ball ricocheted into the back of the net. Van Dijk pulled one back with a towering header, but Chelsea managed to hold.
The victory, which was Chelsea’s first over Liverpool in 11 attempts, moves Maresca’s side level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle, who they visit next week. Defeat for Liverpool was only their third of the Premier League campaign.
Follow all of the action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:
Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE
- Chelsea defeat newly crowned champions Liverpool in the Premier League
- 90+5' GOAL! Cole Palmer wraps up excellent performance with late penalty (CHE 3-1 LIV)
- 85' GOAL! Van Dijk powers in header to set up nervy ending for Chelsea (CHE 2-1 LIV)
- 57' OWN GOAL! Van Dijk clears into Quansah as Chelsea double lead (CHE 2-0 LIV)
- 3' GOAL! Fernandez fires Chelsea in front after lovely move (CHE 1-0 LIV)
Chelsea FC 3 - 1 Liverpool FC
Unique Cole Palmer gives the world another reason to keep watching
19:48 , Miguel DelaneyHaving been forced to watch the new champions walk on, Cole Palmer then made everyone look at his own footwork. The playmaker’s performance in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Liverpool was a timely reminder of his quality - and that was long before he scored his first goal in almost four months to clinch it.
“I felt like myself,” as he put it afterwards. “I felt confident.” Palmer has now also ensured Chelsea felt the satisfaction of a victory that was genuinely important, both for himself and the club.It greatly improves his club’s prospects of Champions League football with three games to go, two of them away to rivals for the places in Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
Palmer knows that is the sort of stage he should be on. Chelsea know they have to keep getting there to ward off any potential agitation, or suitors.
Unique Cole Palmer gives the world another reason to keep watching
Chelsea beat lacklustre Liverpool to boost Champions League hopes
19:41 , Jamie BraidwoodLiverpool suffered defeat in their first game since being crowned Premier League champions as Cole Palmer ended his Chelsea scoring drought to round off a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge and boost the Blues’ Champions League ambitions.
Chelsea beat lacklustre Liverpool to boost Champions League hopes
The race for the Champions League: Who has the best run-in?
19:22 , Jamie BraidwoodThe race for the top-five is going down to the wires but Chelsea took a huge step forward today with victory over Liverpool.
Up next, Chelsea will go to Newcastle in what promises to be a crucial test.
Emotional Cole Palmer hits out at ‘idiots on social media’
19:04 , Jamie BraidwoodCole Palmer fired back at “idiots and trolls” on social media after ending his scoring drought in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Liverpool.
The 22-year-old had gone 18 games without scoring for club and country after a scintillating start to the season and admitted that the past three months had been tough.
His performance was excellent as Chelsea faced newly crowned champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge and he was handed the chance to end his barren spell from the penalty spot when Moises Caicedo was fouled.
The England international said he did not feel under pressure and was “normal” when standing over the penalty but was clearly emotional afterwards as he opened up on the criticism he had received.
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Emotional Cole Palmer hits out at ‘idiots on social media’ after ending goal drought
Cole Palmer speaks to Sky Sports
18:51 , Jamie BraidwoodAn emotional Cole Palmer, speaking to Sky Sports, after Chelsea’s win.
“We played very well as a team. They are champions for a reason but we showed fight and we hurt them at times.”
On his goal drought. “I felt normal taking the penalty. Sh** happens, you know what I mean? I went three months without scoring but it gives me more motivation, more fight to do well. Social media now a days, it’s full of idiots, full of trolls, I don’t pay no attention to that. To score today, I’m happy with that. I’ve got to keep improving and finding new levels.”
A tough couple of months? “For anyone. Getting chances and not scoring... you're letting your team down at the end of the day.
"I feel like I'm mentally strong anyway so whatever people say, it doesn't bother me. I've had it all my life growing up.
"I feel pride in helping the team and if I'm not doing that, I'm not happy.
"Today, I felt like myself. I felt confident, I was trying things, first time passes, playing forward, playing free and when you have him [Moises Caicedo] next to you, it's a dream."
Chelsea end winless run against Liverpool
18:37 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea’s last win over Liverpool came at an empty Anfield in March 2021.
Their last win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge came toward the end of the 2018 season.
It’s been a long time coming, but after 10 games without a win against the Reds, Chelsea can celebrate again.
FULL TIME! Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool
18:32 , Jamie BraidwoodCole Palmer’s injury-time penalty was his first for Chelsea since a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on 14 January.
He had gone 18 games without scoring but the 22-year-old got everyone talking once again with his performance against Liverpool.
FULL TIME! Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool
18:26 , Jamie BraidwoodAnd that’s it. Palmer puts the icing on a triumphant afternoon for Chelsea, with victory over the champions.
It was always a bigger game for Chelsea than Liverpool, and that’s how it proved. Their first win over Liverpool since 2021, and a big one in the race for the top five!
GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool (PALMER PEN 95')
18:25 , Jamie BraidwoodTHE COLD CELEBRATION IS BACK! Cole Palmer wraps up a brilliant performance by putting the penalty past Alisson - stunning spot-kick, right into the corner to beat the goalkeeper, who went the right way!
PENALTY! Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
18:23 , Jamie Braidwood90+5 mins: Chelsea get a penalty at the death! Caicedo beats Quansah to the loose ball and wins the penalty...
and Cole Palmer will take it!
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
18:22 , Jamie Braidwood90+4 mins: Seconds left for Liverpool... but Jones sees his pass towards Salah cut out by Cucurella.
Cucurella and Bradley then get in a tangle over the dead-ball.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
18:20 , Jamie Braidwood90+2 mins: Palmer is awarded man of the match, with Gary Neville describing the England international as a “joy to watch”. He has been on it today.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
18:19 , Jamie Braidwood90 mins: We’re into five minutes of added time. Gusto draws a foul from Mac Allister and Chelsea have the ball where they want it.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
18:17 , Jamie Braidwood89 mins: A late corner for Chelsea, who are in no rush to take it. Reece James has joined the action for the closing stages.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (VAN DIJK 85')
18:12 , Jamie BraidwoodOOOOH HELLO. Van Dijk powers a header in and Liverpool have interest again.
Mac Aliister’s corner is met by the captain, who is virtually unmarked, and a towering header sparks some nerves among the home fans at Stamford Bridge.
A wry smile on Van Dijk’s face and a fist pump to the away end.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
18:10 , Jamie Braidwood83 mins: Federico Chiesa is on for Liverpool for his fifth Premier League appearance of the season, which will earn him a medal.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
18:09 , Jamie Braidwood81 mins; OFF THE POST! Wonderful from Palmer. He almost beats Alisson from a tight angle, but hits the post!
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
18:08 , Jamie Braidwood80 mins: A strong save from Alisson to deny Sancho keeps Liverpool in it, just about. Sancho looked for the far post first time but Alisson read it.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
18:07 , Jamie Braidwood78 mins: An amusing moment as Lavia is substituted and goes off in front of the Liverpool fans. He waves as the Liverpool fans sing ‘champions, champions’ - after Lavia turned down the chance to join the Reds in 2023.
Lavia was very good today.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
18:05 , Jamie Braidwood77 mins: Another one. That would have been the record for Salah but he heads wide from Tsimikas’ cross to the back post.
Salah went across goal but heads wide.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
18:02 , Jamie Braidwood74 mins: Liverpool have been on top since the second goal but they still have not tested Sanchez since early on.
Getting just one back would make it interesting...
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
17:59 , Jamie Braidwood71 mins: Another opportunity for Nunez, not as clear as the previous one, but Chalobah gets back well and cuts out the danger.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
17:56 , Jamie Braidwood68 mins: Liverpool are building the pressure.... Salah sets up Nunez with a wonderful cross but the header is woeful and well wide.
Time for two more changes. Here come Mac Allister and Szoboszlai for Endo and Elliott.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
17:53 , Jamie Braidwood65 mins: Chance for Liverpool from the free-kick, but Elliott smacks it low into the wall and Chelsea can clear.
And then Gakpo flashes in a cross but Colwill does well to clear ahead of Nunez.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
17:51 , Jamie Braidwood64 mins: An excellent recovery challenge from Curtis Jones stops Palmer getting on the end of a Neto pass into the box.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
17:50 , Jamie Braidwood62 mins: Bradley has made a lively start. He beats Cucurella in the box but his cross is cut out by Chalobah.
Van Djik then heads over.
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
17:47 , Jamie Braidwood59 mins: Arne Slot responds by taking off Alexander-Arnold and Jota, replacing them with Bradley and Nunez.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool (QUANSAH OG 56')
17:43 , Jamie BraidwoodCALAMITY IN THE LIVERPOOL DEFENCE AND CHELSEA DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!
It’s excellent from Palmer to begin with, beating Tsimikas with ease. He squares and it should be a simple clearance for Van Dijk to make, but he boost the ball straight at Quansah and the ball rebounds in off the defender.
A huge mix-up and Chelsea will be very confident of getting a massive win now.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:40 , Jamie Braidwood52 mins: A few groans around Stamford Bridge as Madueke plays Jackson through but he is offside again.
Quite a scrappy start to the second half, this.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:38 , Jamie Braidwood50 mins: Salah is stopped by Cucurella in the box. Lavia beats Van Dijk to the ball and the Liverpool captain is late. He catches the Chelsea man and is booked.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:36 , Jamie Braidwood47 mins: An early look for Jackson on the edge of the box but he rather snatches at the chance and it dribbles back to Alisson.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:33 , Jamie BraidwoodBack underway!
Liverpool have only failed to score four times this season, and not in the Premier League since a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in September.
HALF TME! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:30 , Jamie BraidwoodFans of Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Aston Villa will be supporting Arne Slot’s side in this second half... the title may be won but there is plenty still to play for.
Second half coming up next.
HALF TME! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:21 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea have not beaten Liverpool since a 1-0 victory at Anfield in March 2021. Thomas Tuchel was their manager then, and they would finish the season as European champions.
They are without a win against Liverpool in 10 attempts since then, but are halfway there...
HALF TME! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:17 , Jamie BraidwoodThe champions are behind with Chelsea leading thanks to Fernandez’s third-minute goal. It’s been a good showing from Chelsea, with Palmer looking sharp, all a little subdued from Liverpool.
As it stands, Chelsea are on their way to a huge win.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:14 , Jamie Braidwood42 mins: NO GOAL! Chance for Chelsea. Madueke walks it in but Jackson was offside in the build-up when Liverpool’s defence stepped up and he was caught.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:13 , Jamie Braidwdood41 mins: CLOSE! Almost a quickfire strike from Chelsea before half-time! Palmer finds some space and makes more for Neto on the right. The winger cuts inside but then fires wide of Alisson’s near post.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:11 , Jamie Braidwood39 mins: Liverpool do have plenty of options to call upon if Slot wants to revert back to his more usual team, with all of Diaz, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Robertson and Konate on the bench.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:07 , Jamie Braidwood36 mins: Better spell from Chelsea, just breaking up the pressure that was building from Liverpool. The champions go down the other end and win a corner that Alexander-Arnold swings in. Sanchez punches away.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:03 , Jamie Braidwood32 mins: Off the bar! Just about! There’s a scramble int eh box and then Caicedo turns and reaches the byline before digging out a cross. It’s spinning and turning and lands on the top of the crossbar before bouncing behind.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:02 , Jamie Braidwood31 mins: Chelsea break the pressure up as Palmer carries forward and Quansah blocks. From the corner, Neto’s shot is blocked and then Fernandez hits another poor corner straight at Tsimikas.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17:00 , Jamie Braidwood29 mins: Liverpool continue to ramp up the pressure. Alexander-Arnold is next to find some space. He had Salah on the outside but went for goal, striking straight at Cucurella.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
16:57 , Jamie Braidwood26 mins: A better five minute spell from Liverpool as they look to get back in the game. Gakpo and Tsimikas almost exchange a one-two in the box but Chalobah cuts it out.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
16:54 , Jamie Braidwood22 mins: Alexander-Arnold looks for Jota with a low ball towards the back post, but Salah tries to jump onto it even though he was in an offside position. That may have been creeping through to Jota.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
16:51 , Jamie Braidwood19 mins: A heavy touch from Salah and Cucurella gets in to win the ball back. Most of the play from both teams has come on the other side - through Neto and Gakpo.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
16:46 , Jamie Braidwood15 mins: Neto works some space to flash a cross into the box. Quansah and Fernandez have their arms all over each other. Fernandez gets his head onto the cross but the header goes over.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
16:43 , Jamie Braidwood12 mins: Gakpo has space out on the left and looks to find Salah at the back post with a whipped cross, but there’s too much on it and the ball rolls through.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
16:40 , Jamie Braidwood9 mins: Ooooh. Has the offside flag saved Alisson? The goalkeeper rushes off his line and brings down Jackson, who had rounded him.
But the striker was offside from Caicedo’s pass, and the flag went up.
A few moments before, Gakpo shot straight at Sanchez from the left wing.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
16:39 , Jamie Braidwood7 mins: Gakpo chips a little ball into Jota in the box but Jota lets the ball slip from under him.
It may be a little early for this but I remember Liverpool getting hammered by Man City a few days after winning the title in 2020.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
16:36 , Jamie Braidwood5 mins: Almost two! Madueke dances through the challenges and bobbles a shot past Alisson’s post. Chelsea are up for this.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (FERNANDEZ 3')
16:34 , Jamie BraidwoodThe champions are behind! Stunning goal from Chelsea!
Lovely move from Chelsea. They work the ball out beautifully from defence and Neto crosses into the box. Palmer lets it run through and allows Fernandez to finish.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
16:31 , Jamie Braidwood1 mins: Boos for Salah. He links up well with the returning Elliott but Sanchez cuts out Salah’s cross.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
16:31 , Jamie Braidwood1 min: Off we go! A huge game for Chelsea. Interesting to see how the champions take this.
Boos as Liverpool receive guard of honour
16:28 , Jamie BraidwoodApplause from the Chelsea players, but boos from the fans at Stamford Bridge as Liverpool walk out through the guard of honour and onto the pitch.
The Liverpool fans in the corner are enjoying themselves, with champions balloons and red smoke.
Liverpool team news: Premier League champions ring the changes
15:22 , Jamie BraidwoodLiverpool make six changes from last Sunday’s win over Tottenham, with Arne Slot offering starts to Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones, Kostas Tsimikas, Jarrell Quansah and Diogo Jota.
Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson keep their places in a rotated team.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Jones, Elliott; Salah, Jota, Gakpo
Subs: Kelleher, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Robertson, Bradley
Chelsea team news: Robert Sanchez fit and Cole Palmer returns
15:19 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is fit to start after missing Thursday’s win at Djurgarden with a knock.
Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson return to the line-up but Reece James is on the bench.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson.
Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin, Badiashile, Acheampong, Gusto, James, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, George.
Chelsea vs Liverpool confirmed line-ups
15:16 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea XI: Sanchez, Caicedo, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson.
Here’s your #CHELIV team news! 🗞️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 4, 2025
🇪🇸 Rob is fit to start from the off.
🇧🇪 Romeo anchors the midfield.
🇸🇳 Nico leads the line. #CFC pic.twitter.com/nvMqSN3Nm9
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Jones, Elliott; Salah, Jota, Gakpo
The champions to take on Chelsea ✨🔴 #CHELIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 4, 2025
Team news on the way...
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe line-ups are imminent at Stamford Bridge. Will Federico Chiesa get that fifth appearance to make certain of a Premier League medal?
