Liverpool 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.
Enzo Fernandez’s early goal set the tone for Enzo Maresca’s side largely to dominate, turning in one of their best displays of the season at just the right moment in the race for the top five, though there was little complaining to be heard from a triumphant away support gathered in the Shed End.
Not even when Jarell Quansah scored a bizarre own-goal in the second half did their title celebrations quieten.
Virgil van Dijk compensated for his role in the debacle with a header from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner late on, then the roof came off the stadium as Palmer ended his four-month fallow spell, dispatching a penalty in stoppage time after Quansah fouled Moises Caicedo.
Victory pulls Chelsea level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle and moves them three clear of Nottingham Forest in sixth.
Arne Slot made six changes to the team that thrashed Tottenham to seal the title last weekend, handing Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott their first league starts while there was just a third start in defence for Quansah.
Maresca began with the same side that beat Everton a week ago and they caught Liverpool out with a goal inside three minutes.
The move began in midfield with Romeo Lavia, starting back to back league games for the first time since November, sweeping a perfect pass to the excellent Palmer who in turn played in Pedro Neto to tear down the right.
Cole moves up to 10th in our all time top #PL goalscorers. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Jlf9BV8578
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 4, 2025
He cut it back towards Palmer who, having continued his run, was attended in the centre by Kostas Tsimikas. Nobody though had gone with Fernandez who was unmarked as he took a touch and steered it from 10 yards past Alisson.
Liverpool appeared overawed in the opening minutes as Chelsea barrelled through holes in their midfield. They were fortunate to avoid going further behind to Noni Madueke, who squeezed a shot inches wide after a pacy attack then again when Nicolas Jackson scooped a looping cross up onto the crossbar.
Chelsea had been rampant and after 56 minutes they deservedly doubled their lead.
It began with a slip by Curtis Jones costing Liverpool possession. Palmer took over, standing up Tsimikas before racing round the outside and pulling the ball back towards Madueke who, arriving at speed, was prevented by Endo from forcing it home.
Instead, Liverpool did it for him, Van Dijk whacking the ball against Quansah who watched helplessly as it rebounded into the net.
Darwin Nunez came off the bench and headed hopelessly wide when unmarked six yards out as a badly-blunted Liverpool struggled for answers.
Jadon Sancho was then denied by a smothering low stop from Alisson after a fine Chelsea move, before Palmer came within inches of a remarkable individual goal when he slalomed through Liverpool and hit the inside of the post from almost on the byline.
Van Dijk set nerves jangling when he headed in from a corner with six minutes to play but Chelsea and Palmer had the last word from the penalty spot, bringing to an end months of frustration.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. PORTUGAL WIN THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ON PENALTIES Nuno Mendes 😎 Anti Right Winger Morata : Me again? Congratulations Portugal & Ronaldo Kepa in Arsenal be like I am sorry. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: BleacherReportFootball, Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
PSG get talks underway with Bournemouth for ZabarnyiFabrizio Romano reports that PSG are determined to sign Ilya Zabarnyi this summer. While talks are underway with Bournemouth, the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement. The player remains keen to join Les Parisiens.Everton join Newcastle in race to sign GrealishEverton are interesting in acquiring the services of Manchester City outcast Jac...
WHAT HAPPENED?Napoli striker Osimhen has reportedly made up his mind on his future, and it seems like it won't include a sensational move to the Middle East. This comes from a scoop from journalist Buchi Laba, who reports that Osimhen has rejected a fifth offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal and would rather continue his career in Europe.THE BIGGER PICTURELaba claims that Osimhen is not interested in a ...
France captain Kylian Mbappe says he is satisfied with his side bouncing back from their Nations League loss to Spain in the third-placed play-off.Les Bleus finished the campaign with a win over Germany, thanks to goals from the Real Madrid star and Michael Olise.And while there was a lot to like about the French performance in Stuttgart, Mbappe took a balanced approach to things in his post-match...
WHAT HAPPENED?The German club have asked to be kept up to date on Sancho's situation, with the Man Utd outcast being touted as a possible replacement for Chelsea target Jamie Gittens, as per Sky Sports. Sancho has already re-joined the club from Manchester United once - a six-month loan spell at the end of last season - and could yet return for a third spell with the German giants. Chelsea paid a ...
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates getting promoted back to the Premier LeagueEngland U21 midfielder Jobe Bellingham has agreed terms to leave Sunderland for Borussia Dortmund in a deal reported at around 331 million including add-ons.The Bedlington-born starlet joins the German club on a five-year contract following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.Dortmund has reportedly agreed...
Brian Priske has chosen to return to Sparta PragueBrian Priske has returned to Sparta Prague to take up the position as head coach, say the Czech club on their website."We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new head coach. We welcome Brian, who knows the environment in the club. We strongly believe that he will build on the successful work he has delivered in the past and help Sparta w...
Borussia Dortmund keen on signing Jadon SanchoBorussia Dortmund are weighing up a fresh move for Jadon Sancho amid uncertainty over his future at Manchester United.The Bundesliga side have requested to be kept informed about the Englishman’s status at Old Trafford, with the out-of-favour winger seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-linked Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Sports.Sancho i...
Gravenberch names his 2025 Ballon d'Or favouriteRyan Gravenberch shared his 2025 Ballon d'Or choice, backing his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to win the prestigious award.The Egypt international was the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or during the first half of the season, topping both the goals and assists charts in the Premier League.0"That's a tough one, but I'll go for my teammate: Moha...
Uriah RennieUriah Rennie, the first black man to referee in the Premier League, has died at the age of 65.WHAT HAPPENED?In August 1997, Rennie was named as the referee for a Premier League game between Derby County and AFC Wimbledon and made history as the division's first ever black referee. He went on to officiate over 300 top-flight games across 11 years, as well as refereeing domestic cup fina...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 3 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 4 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 9 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker
- 10 Transfer news: Jadon Sancho announces move as Liverpool confirm deal