Eighteen-year-old Brazilian winger, Estevão Willian struck in the 95th minute to give Chelsea an important 2–1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, condemning the defending champions to their third consecutive defeat in all competitions.
Chelsea’s late winner created wild celebrations scenes inside the Bridge, that culminated with manager Enzo Maresca being sent off for sprinting down the touchline in Mourinho-esque fashion.
The result lifts Chelsea back into the title conversation, while Liverpool’s faltering form means Arsenal now sit top of the Premier League table, a point clear of the Reds following their 2–0 win over West Ham earlier in the day.
Caicedo’s Wild Strike the Deadlock Early for Chelsea
The Blues began brightly and took the lead in the 14th minute, courtesy of Moisés Caicedo’s stunning strike.
Collecting a simple pass from Malo Gusto, the Ecuadorian midfielder unleashed a fierce 20-yard drive that soared past Liverpool’s stand-in goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured Alisson.
Caicedo, who famously rejected Liverpool to join Chelsea for a British-record £115m in 2023, nearly doubled his tally with another long-range strike late on but was denied by Mamardashvili in the 89th minute.
Slot Turns to Wirtz, Liverpool Fight Back
Under-pressure Liverpool manager, Arne Slot responded to back-to-back defeats by dropping £116m summer signing Florian Wirtz to the bench.
Wirtz entered at halftime as the Reds chased inspiration.
Their equaliser arrived in the 62nd minute. A dangerous cross from Dominik Szoboszlai was flicked on by Alexander Isak and fell to Cody Gakpo, who reacted sharply to bundle the ball past Robert Sánchez.
Chelsea looked momentarily rattled, and the match became an end-to-end contest, with Mamardashvili producing crucial saves from substitutes Estevão and Jamie Gittens to keep Liverpool in the game.
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Missed Chances and an Unexpected Twist
Chelsea nearly snatched the lead in stoppage time when Enzo Fernández headed against the outside of the post with the goal gaping. It appeared the match would end level, until Estevão’s moment arrived.
Deep into injury time, Marc Cucurella whipped in a teasing cross, and the teenage Brazilian darted in front of Andrew Robertson to divert the ball home, sparking jubilant scenes in West London.
It was Estevão’s first goal for Chelsea since his £51m move from Palmeiras; a youngster tipped as Brazil’s next superstar.
Final Score
Chelsea 2 – 1 Liverpool
(Caicedo 14’, Estevão 90+5’ | Gakpo 62’)
Maresca’s Mourinho Moment
Maresca’s wild sprint down the touchline after Estevão’s goal earned him a red card from referee Anthony Taylor, preventing him from conducting his post-match duties.
It was a moment reminiscent of José Mourinho’s iconic run at Old Trafford in 2004 with Porto and fittingly came at the end of a week in which Mourinho had returned to Stamford Bridge with Benfica in the Champions League.
“Remember the Name” – Estevão Arrives
Estevão has already made history in Brazil, becoming the first under-18 player to register 20 goals and assists for Palmeiras, surpassing a record once held by Neymar.
He has already represented Brazil’s senior national team under Carlo Ancelotti.
Chelsea and Liverpool Face Defensive Issues
The only blemish on Chelsea’s night was the loss of centre-backs Josh Acheampong and Benoît Badiashile to injury. With
- Wesley Fofana,
- Levi Colwill,
- Tosin Adarabioyo already sidelined and
- Trevoh Chalobah suspended,
Maresca now faces a selection headache at the back. Liverpool, meanwhile, continue to leak goals.
They have conceded nine goals in seven league games and kept only two clean sheets in ten matches in all competitions.
Slot’s side has looked defensively shaky all season, with uncertainty over Ibrahima Konaté’s contract and struggles to settle on a right-back.
Their failure to sign Marc Guéhi now looks increasingly costly.
Liverpool’s Title Defense Faltering
This latest defeat marks Liverpool’s first run of three straight losses under Arne Slot and their first back-to-back league defeats in over two years.
While they remain second, one point behind Arsenal, the champions look far from their dominant best.
Mohamed Salah, once their talisman, endured another quiet night and continues to search for form after a difficult start to the season.
Key Stats
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Estevão’s first Chelsea goal came in his 95th-minute appearance off the bench.
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Caicedo has now scored three league goals in seven games, more than his previous two seasons combined.
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Liverpool have conceded nine league goals so far this season.
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Arsenal top the table with 17 points, one ahead of Liverpool.
