Chelsea had a big Premier League victory at Champion Liverpool on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
It was Moises Caiceco who broke the deadlock courtesy of Chelsea on a fierce strike in the 14th minute, and Cody Gakpo, who returned home from a range close to Liverpool’s equalisation on the 63rd. However, the last words fell to Chelsea’s mysterious Estevao Willian. Estevao Willian converted from a few yards and took all the points of the host in five minutes of downtime.
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The Chelsea victory is even more valuable with many injuries issues that manager Enzo Maresca had to avoid. The defense was particularly hard hit along with Tosin Adarabioyo (Calf), Wesley Fofana (Concussion), Levi Colwill (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (Suspended) All Absent, Midfielders Anrey Santos (Knock), Dario Essugo (Thigh (The), and Cole Palmer (The), Liam Deloin (The), Dario Palmer (The), and Cole Palmoin (The), Trevoh Chalobah (The), and Cole Palmoin (The), and Cole Palmoin (The).
So, the only centre-back options Maresca has at his disposal, Benoit Badiashile and Joshua Acheampong, were always about to start in front of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Malo Gusto and Mark Kukulera covered the defensive flanks, with Captain Reese James moving to the middle, alongside Kameko. Enzo Fernandez had the freedom to roam more freely, with Wingers Pedroneto and Alejandro Garnacho pinched by João Pedro in the attack.
As for Liverpool, head coach Arne Slott had no first-choice goalkeeper Alison Becker (hamstring), young defender Giovanni Leoni (ACL), and midfielder Stephen Basicchik (hamstring).
Giorgi Mamardashvili has stepped into the role of Allison between posts in partnership with Ibrahima Konate with Captain Virgill van Dik, at the heart of his defense. Connor Bradley was chosen to be right back and Jeremy Fripond, while Milos Kerkez began on the left. Ryan Gravenburch, Alexis Mac Alistair and Dominique Skoboschlei formed the regular midfield trio, leaving Florian Wiltz on the bench and signing Alexander Isaac to begin the attack.
Match Summary
Chelsea were the first to attack, emotionally. In just an hour, Kaiseko received the ball in the middle of the park as Liverpool overestimated the build-up, passing Mac Allister and thundering from near 25 yards hammered into the top corner. Mamardashvili actually worked to get his fingertips, but he couldn’t do any more.
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The goal set fire to Stamford Bridge and set the tone of the night when Chelsea energy coincided with tactical discipline. Stung but relatively composed Liverpool began to find rhythm halfway through. Szoboszlai and Gravenberch were probed from mid-game, but their efforts were heavily included in Chelsea’s compact construction.
The intensity of the game never faded after the break. After the 1 hour mark, the slot side found a breakthrough. Isaac dropped a cleverly flicked pass to Gakupo’s pass, and Dutchman settled from close range to level the scores from 1-1.
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The goal temporarily changed Liverpool’s momentum, but Chelsea refused to fold it. Maresca’s alternatives injected fresh paces, while young Estebao provided direct running and energy.
As Liverpool were late seeking a winner, a gap began to appear, at which point it was just the issue of either team losing its defensive focus in offensive intent. And that happened to the visitors, and at a crucial moment, Andy Robertson, who previously replaced Kerquez with Kerquez on the left back, gets caught up in his heels.
At stop time, Kukulera sped forward with an overlap, whipping at a low cross that pierced the six-yard box. Estevao drove past Robertson with the back post, sliding the ball’s house in the 95th minute, causing a wild celebration at the Stamford Bridge Stand.
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Already carrying the yellow card for opposition, Maresca was sent for his enthusiastic response, but Chelsea sealed off a dramatic victory for the remaining seconds.
Maresca’s midblock
Maresca set Chelsea on a trained mid-block, while Liverpool forced plays into narrow waterways. The pattern was simple. Sit compactly in the center, invite the ball into half space, then a free quick runner during your break.
The structure purchased Chelsea the time and space needed to begin the vertical transition. The sequence of Caicedo’s 14-minute rocket (layoffs from Malo Gusto after the sharp Badiashile Pass) came directly from that script.
Liverpool was routed to play sideways, allowing Chelsea to quickly turn turnovers into threats. When the Mac Allister was beat hit, Joao Pedro and Garnacho cleverly spin around the rest of their opponents, preventing them from charging with Caicedo.
The goal was not fluke. It was in return for the middle block that Liverpool was ready to attack the moment they lost their rhythm.
Slot teams did not have normal vertical bites.
The slot sets Liverpool and controls ownership and investigations with the Szoboszlai – Mac Allister – Gravenberch Spine, while the Chelsea compact vaguely eliminates the vertical lane Liverpool.
Without a clean vertical injection into the box, its front three Isaac, Sarah and Gakupo were forced to chase the scraps or rely on individual moments of brilliance. Florian Wirtz’s halftime introduction temporarily unlocked them, and although Isak’s inspired touch set up a Gakpo equalizer for 63rd minute, visitors did not maintain long-term control in the final third.
Simply put, Liverpool had more balls at this point, but no incisions. Chelsea’s offensive counter-trigger on the mid-block has removed overlaps from the normal overload and slot blueprints and manufactured the Reds half chance rather than building clear, high-quality opportunities.
That predictability goes to the time of the champion and ultimately the points.
Late Estebao Strike – Mission Statement
The winner of the stop time – the teenager Estebao met Kukurera Cross – encapsulated what Maresca is trying to build: structure and courage. Chelsea survived multiple injury setbacks (center backs changed the slander with Badia seals added to the long list of injuries), but defended with numbers and still maintained the discipline of leaving the late body to the box.
Cucurella’s involvement and Estevao’s finish (95 minutes after leaving the bench) highlighted the balance between defensive organization and offensive intentions, eventually separating the two teams.
What it means and what comes next
Chelsea’s 2-1 victory came in sixth with 11 points, showing morale and progress under Maresca despite concerns about injuries.
Their upcoming fixtures will be at Nottingham Forest (Premier League) on October 18th and at AJAX (Champions League) at Stamford Bridge on October 22nd, both tests of squad depth and tactical consistency.
For Liverpool, defeat has deepened a worrying run. The recent poor results have been extended to second consecutive Premier League defeats (three in all competitions), allowing Arsenal to pass at the top of the table.
The side of the slot needs to be reorganized quickly. Their immediate schedule includes the Heavyweight Premier League Test against Manchester United at Anfield on October 19th, followed by a fourth round rematch of the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace at Anfield on October 29th.