Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool: Super Sub Estebao scored a winning goal deep in stop time to condemn the Premier League champions for three consecutive losses in eight days
Chelsea’s dagger from Estebao extended Liverpool’s losing streak to three games, adding an even more dramatic twist in the Premier League title race. Arne Slot’s team lost back-to-back games in the Premier League and Champions League ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge, including last weekend’s stop-time defeat to Crystal Palace.
Chelsea wasn’t in a great form in itself, but Bruce drew his first blood through Moises Kayseko. His 20-yard strike nearly tore Liverpool’s nets and opened the game after a tense start from both sides.
Enzo Maresca’s men pushed a second goal, but were unable to double the lead, giving Liverpool the opportunity to regain momentum. The Reds suddenly had a grip of the game and counted it. Cody Gakupo ended after a casual assist from Alexander Isaac.
The game was doomed to a draw until the final push from Chelsea produced a winner. Estebao, fresh from the bench, was a hero and ordered Liverpool to be defeated for the third time on the spin.
There are six topics from Stamford Bridge.
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1. What a hit, son
Breaking deadlocks in the opening quarter was something special from Moises Caseko. The midfielder found himself in acres of space in the final third after a decent build-up play between Benoit Badiaser and Malo Gusto.
Kaiseko saw the chance and pulled the trigger from 20 yards as Virgil van Dick retreated and eclipsed the possibility of Justoth through the ball. Ecuador’s efforts passed Giorgi Mamardashvili, who had made his Premier League debut, and flew to the top left corner, giving Chelsea a valuable lead.
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2. Maresca Hume with VAR decision
Chelsea’s tail was rising, and Alejandro Garnacho was causing problems at the Blues’ first league start. On one occasion, Garnacho was torn into a Liverpool box when Dominique Soboschlei contacted, prompting a wave of appeal from Chelsea’s conditioning.
The former Manchester United star was furious when Anthony Taylor allowed him to continue playing. Taylor blew his whis off, hearing from Var, whom he chose not to send to the pitch side monitor.
Taylor marched towards the touchline and showed the yellow card to the blues boss. However, Maresca was not discussed as he continued to make fierce complaints to members of Liverpool’s coaching staff.
3. The slots look good
It was another thing for Liverpool to forget, as the Premier League champions stared at the barrels of their third consecutive defeat. Arne Slot’s complaints were clear as Connor Bradley got hooked at halftime.
Honestly, it could have been an outfielder for Liverpool. However, Bradley was replaced by Florian Wirtz by moving Szoboszlai to the right back – which lost more duels (5) than any other player in the opening 45 minutes.
And just nine minutes into the second half, slot shuffled his pack again. Andy Robertson came for the struggling Milos Kerquez, but Curtis Jones replaced Ibrahima Conate.
4. Chelsea faces nightmare of injury
Chelsea can’t take a break at centre-back. Levi Colwill was injured before the season, Tosin Adalabioyo went down last month, Wesley Fofana continues to work through concussion protocols, and Trevo Charova has been stopped for this.
So what they didn’t need was that Badia Seal would not make it past the time mark as he became their latest absentee. Maresca was forced to bring in Romeo Lavia and put Reese James at centre back.
Then, mysteriously, something else came. Josh Atianpon fell on the grass shortly after Liverpool’s equalizer, and Jorel pigeons could not continue as he entered the fight.
5. ISAK-Genius or luck?
Alexander Isaac didn’t look like a £125 million player in the first hour, but his assistance to Cody Gakupo’s equalizer was his similar — of course, if you believe he means that. The former Newcastle Talisman skillfully defeated the cross from Suzobosilai, and the ball fell completely to Cody Gakupo for a simple finish.
The replay didn’t incline much about whether Isak meant that, but it was all the same goal – that’s important as Liverpool leveled the score. Mo Salah then had a chance to make it 2-1, but only distorted his efforts when the Egyptians distorted his efforts and proved to be the best chance to grab the winner before the Reds dodged Chelsea’s onslaught with a dying ember.
6. Chelsea’s Dagger
When the clock entered at six minutes of stop time, there was a winner – and it was on the blue corner. Fernandez’s pass discovered Mark Kukulera on the left side of the penalty area, and Estebao rode his bike on the other side.
Cucurella’s low-driven cross was pinpoint, with Chelsea’s Wonderkid having a simple tap-in after picking Robertson at the far post. There was so much delirium at Stamford Bridge that it wasn’t everyone realised that Maresca had been sent off to celebrate his.
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