LONDON — Chelsea secured a crucial 3-1 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, boosting their Champions League aspirations. Enzo Fernandez gave Chelsea the lead early, and a second-half own goal by Jarell Quansah extended their advantage. Virgil van Dijk pulled one back for Liverpool late on, but Cole Palmer sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty.

Liverpool, coming off a dominant Premier League title win, struggled to find their rhythm, while Chelsea’s victory kept them in fifth place, level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle. The win puts Chelsea in a tight battle for the top five, with three games remaining.

Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, praised the performance, emphasizing the importance of the victory for their Champions League push. Liverpool, despite the defeat, showed some resilience after falling 2-0 behind. Palmer’s penalty capped a challenging day for the champions, leaving them with only three league losses this season.