Review: Chelsea beats Liverpool as race for European spots intensifies
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez celebrates after scoring the first goal during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in London, Britain, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua)
LONDON, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Chelsea's hopes of playing in the Champions League next season received a boost on Sunday when Enzo Maresca's team took advantage of Liverpool's title hangover to beat the recently-crowned Premier League champions 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Fernandez put Chelsea ahead from close range after just three minutes, and the Blues had a stroke of luck when Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk's clearance bounced into team-mate Jarell Quansah's chest and then into the net 11 minutes into the second half.
Van Dijk made amends when he scored from a corner with five minutes left to play, but Cole Palmer scored a late penalty after a foul committed by Quansah to give Chelsea three vital points.
Alexander Isak netted a last-minute penalty to give Newcastle United what could turn out to be a vital point away to Brighton.
Yakuba Minteh opened the scoring for Brighton, but Isak kept his nerve to ensure Newcastle ends the weekend in a Champions League place, and Callum Wilson almost won the match for the Magpies in injury time.
West Ham and Tottenham drew 1-1 in a game where neither side had much to play for other than pride, with Spurs resting players for next week's Europa League semifinal return leg.
Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim also made sweeping changes to his team away to Brentford, who took full advantage with a 4-3 win, with Kevin Schade scoring twice, along with a Luke Shaw own goal and a finish from Yoane Wissa.
United looked dead and buried at 4-1 down before Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo netted late goals to give United hope of a late equalizer.
Amorim will be unhappy to see Matthijs de Ligt suffer another injury, which will keep him out of his side's Europa League semifinal second leg at home to Athletic Bilbao.
On Saturday, Aston Villa won 1-0 at home to Fulham, while Bournemouth stunned Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Leicester City won a match between two relegated sides 2-0 at home to Southampton, and Ipswich fought back to draw 2-2 away to Everton.
Kevin de Bruyne's goal helped Manchester City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 on Friday, while Nottingham Forest plays at Crystal Palace on Monday night. ■
Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk (3rd L) scores his side's only goal during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in London, Britain, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's Darwin Nunez (L) is challenged by Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in London, Britain, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's Harvey Elliott (L) is challenged by Chelsea's Romeo Lavia during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in London, Britain, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua)
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez celebrates after scoring the first goal during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in London, Britain, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's Diogo Jota (C) is pulled back by Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez (R) during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in London, Britain, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk arrives before the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in London, Britain, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot arrives before the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in London, Britain, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's Curtis Jones (C) is pulled back by Chelsea's Pedro Neto (R) during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in London, Britain, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker reacts as Chelsea scores the second goal during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in London, Britain, May 4, 2025. (Xinhua)
