Chelsea strengthened their grip for a top five finish and seal a place in next season’s Champions League with victory against newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot made six changes from the side that beat Tottenham Hotspur to clinch the title at Anfield, resulting in a display lacking some of their traditional intensity until it was too late.
After giving Liverpool the traditional champions’ guard of honour before kick-off, Chelsea secured a crucial win that takes Enzo Maresca’s side level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle United – who they are now behind in the table on goals scored ahead of their meeting at St James’ Park next Sunday.
Enzo Fernandez had put Chelsea ahead after only three minutes, the Argentine arriving in the box with perfect timing to send the ball past Alison Becker all thanks to a Pedro Neto’s cross.
Chelsea extended their advantage after 56 minutes when Cole Palmer’s run created confusion in the Liverpool box, resulting in Virgil van Dijk attempting a clearance that went in off Jarell Quansah and into his own net.
Liverpool had opportunities to come back into the game however substitute Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah both missed good chances in front of the travelling support, who spent the game celebrating the club’s 20th title triumph.
Palmer then hit the post late on, before Van Dijk headed Liverpool back into contention with a header five minutes from time.
It was Palmer who wrapped up Chelsea’s win by ending a sequence of 18 games without a goal from the penalty spot seconds from the end after Jarell Quansah had brought down Moises Caicedo in the box.