Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool: Estevão’s Stoppage-Time Winner Stuns the Champions

Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 at Stamford Bridge with a stoppage-time winner from Estevão, handing the champions their third consecutive league defeat and knocking them off top spot now a point behind title rivals Arsenal.

The hosts struck first through Moisés Caicedo after 30 minutes, smashing a 20-yard effort into the top corner after escaping Alexis Mac Allister. Liverpool struggled throughout the first half, their play sloppy and error-prone, with Conor Bradley booked and later replaced at half-time to avoid a second yellow. Alexander Isak missed their best chance before the break, heading over from close range.

Liverpool equalised in the 63rd minute when Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross was controlled by Isak and finished by Cody Gakpo. Mohamed Salah then wasted a chance to put the visitors in front, firing over after good work from Florian Wirtz. Chelsea, however, remained the more threatening side, with Giorgi Mamardashvili making his first appearance for Liverpool in place of the injured Alisson forced into several saves to keep the score level.

The game entered seven minutes of added time and looked set for a draw before Marc Cucurella’s low cross found Estevão at the far post for the decisive goal. Stamford Bridge erupted, while Liverpool were left stunned by yet another late concession.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, continuing his side’s remarkable run of dismissals. Still, the victory was Chelsea’s first against Liverpool in over two years and only their second in the last 12 meetings.

For Liverpool, the defeat starts a worrying trend. Six league games this season have already produced nine goals scored after the 80th minute four of them in stoppage time. The latest two have come against Crystal Palace and now Chelsea. What was once Liverpool’s greatest strength has become a glaring weakness, and after late wins defined their early season, late defeats now threaten their title defence.