Chelsea 3 – 1 Liverpool

Chelsea boosted their possibilities of qualifying for subsequent season’s Champions League as they deservedly gained 3-1 towards a much-changed Liverpool aspect nonetheless celebrating their Premier League title triumph.

After the Reds had been topped champions final weekend following their win towards Tottenham Hotspur – and subsequently handed a guard of honour by the Blues earlier than kick-off – Arne Slot made six modifications to his common line-up and it confirmed.

Liverpool had been out of kinds, proper from the get-go as Chelsea scored from their first assault. Curtis Jones’ slip allowed the Blues to interrupt, with Pedro Neto crossing to Enzo Fernandez, who tucked house to make it 20 objective involvements for the season.

Chelsea might have added to their lead earlier than half-time, with Liverpool solely having one shot on the right track within the opening interval. Moises Caicedo’s cross inadvertently got here off the bar, whereas Noni Madueke noticed a objective disallowed for a Nicolas Jackson offside.

The hosts continued their drive within the second interval and ultimately bought their reward. Cole Palmer – one of the best participant on the park – drove down the appropriate and crossed for Madueke, who went down within the space. As Virgil van Dijk tried to clear, he might solely boot the ball into Jarell Quansah and into the web.

It might have been three for Chelsea because the excellent Palmer went on a solo run down the left and struck the within of the publish. That stored Liverpool within the contest – and Van Dijk’s header from a nook halved the deficit to convey nerves round Stamford Bridge.

These nerves had been eased as Dominik Szoboszlai’s poor go to Quansah noticed Caicedo nip in and he was introduced down by the Liverpool centre-back. That allowed Palmer to step up and rating from the penalty spot to finish a 12-game run with out a objective.

Chelsea’s win strikes them degree on 63 factors with fourth-placed Newcastle, who might solely draw at Brighton earlier on Tremendous Sunday – and Enzo Maresca’s aspect are three factors away from Nottingham Forest, who journey to Crystal Palace on Monday Night time Soccer.

As for Liverpool, the title procession – or celebration because it usually regarded from the away finish in west London – continues, with the Reds internet hosting second-placed Arsenal subsequent Sunday, stay on Sky Sports activities.

WATCH: Boos on the Bridge as Liverpool get guard of honour!

Story of the match in stats

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