Estevao Willian struck deep into stoppage time to give Chelsea victory and condemn Liverpool to a third successive defeat in a dramatic climax at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s winning goal, greeted with wild celebrations that ended with coach Enzo Maresca being sent off, was deserved but it was another bitterly disappointing outcome for the out-of-sorts Premier League champions.
Moises Caicedo made the breakthrough for the hosts after 14 minutes as he fired a rising 20-yard drive past Liverpool keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured Alisson.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot dropped £116m summer signing Florian Wirtz to the bench after losses at Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, but he was introduced at the start of the second half in an attempt to provide some inspiration.
Chelsea remained in control, but Liverpool’s equaliser came after 62 minutes, Cody Gakpo reacting quickly in the six-yard area to beat Robert Sanchez after Alexander Isak had touched on Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross.
Mamardashvili made two important late stops from substitutes Estevao and Jamie Gittens, while Enzo Fernandez wasted a golden opportunity to give Chelsea victory in added time, heading against the outside of the post with the goal at his mercy.
It looked like the last act until Liverpool were undone in the dying seconds – as they were at Palace – with Brazilian teenager Estevao stealing in front of Andrew Robertson to turn Marc Cucurella’s cross home.
The result leaves Arsenal top of the table – a point ahead of Liverpool – after they beat West Ham United earlier on Saturday.Eighteen-year-old winger Estevao delivered Chelsea’s best moment of the early part of the season with his last-gasp winner against the champions.
It was the first Blues goal for a wonderkid who has already started games for Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti – and who is regarded by many back home as the next star attacker from one of football’s great talent factories.
Before his £51m move to Chelsea, Estevao had already become the first under-18 player to record 20 goals and assists for his former club Palmeiras, beating a record once held by Neymar.
His first Blues goal has taken a while to arrive but it came just when they needed it, as manager Maresca threw him – and other teenagers Marc Guiu and Gittens – on to win the match.
Estevao might be Chelsea’s rising star, but Caicedo is arguably the Blues’ key player – and must be in discussions for the best midfielder in the league.
The £115m man, who nearly joined Liverpool in August 2023, opened the scoring with a stunning strike and came close with another long-range effort in the 89th minute.
Then he showcased his defensive qualities by tracking Robertson’s dangerous deep run four minutes into injury time.
One disappointing note for Chelsea will be the loss of their centre-back pairing Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile to injury.
Their withdrawals in the second half leave the Blues without six central defenders with five injured and one out through suspension. Chelsea travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 18 October (12:30 BST kick-off) while Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, 19 October (16:30).
Source: BBC