Report, result, goals as Estevao nets last-gasp winner for Blues

Estevao scored with just seconds remaining as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 in what was a pulsating and at times enthralling Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.

The Brazilian teenager came off the bench to net his first goal for the club in the 95th minute to give the Blues all three points and inflict a third-straight defeat on Arne Slot’s men.

Moises Caicedo gave Enzo Maresca’s side a first-half lead when he netted a wonderful goal from the edge of the box, but a much-improved Liverpool performance after the break was rewarded with an equaliser from Cody Gakpo.

Arne Slot’s team looked like they might go on and win the game but Chelsea were resurgent in the final 10 minutes and deservedly emerged victorious when Estevao got on the end of a Marc Cucurella cross to steer in the winner in the dying moments and list Maresca’s side up to sixth.

A thrilling encounter in London

A contest between the Premier League champions and Club World Cup winners began, perhaps unsurprisingly, in rather frantic fashion.

But it was Chelsea who landed the first blow when Caicedo skipped beyond Alexis Mac Allister in the middle of the pitch and, with space to manoeuvre in, began to bear down on the Liverpool backline.

The midfielder took a few more strides before unleashing a rocket from the edge of the box that arrowed into the top corner of the net, far beyond the reach of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was starting for the visitors in place of the injured Alisson.

Alejandro Garnacho was a then whisker away from making it two when his low curling effort clipped the outside of the post.

And it was Chelsea who had the better of the half as Liverpool, aside from an Alexander Isak header that sailed over, carved out very few clear openings.

Florian Wirtz was introduced after the restart and with virtually his first touch the German produced a sublime flick into the path of Mohamed Salah but, from a narrow angle, he failed to get his shot on target.

Ryan Gravenberch then saw his drive held comfortably by Robert Sanchez before Salah blasted over when, by his standards, he perhaps should have done a lot better.

But the equaliser would eventually come shortly after the hour mark. Dominik Szoboszlai, moved to right-back for the second-half, saw his deflected cross find Isak in the box.

The Sweden international tried to bring the ball under control with his back to goal and, in doing so, nudged it towards Gakpo who made no mistake, rifling into the net from just a few yards out.

Salah wasted another good opportunity as Slot’s side found themselves in the ascendancy. But the Blues clawed back some momentum in the final 10 minutes.

Jamie Gittens’ effort was palmed away by Mamardashvili before the towering Georgian tipped away Estevao’s curling shot just seconds later.

With pop legend Madonna looking on in the stands, Liverpool were perhaps saying a little prayer themselves when Enzo Fernandez hit the post with a header after being picked out by Estevao.

But with just seconds to go, Chelsea’s own prayers were answered when the Brazilian prodigy popped up with his first Chelsea goal, turning in Cucurella’s low cross at the far post to send the home section of Stamford Bridge into raptures.

Chelsea lineup vs Liverpool

Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto, Reece James, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, Joao Pedro

Chelsea substitutes: Filip Jorgensen, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Marc Guiu, Facundo Buonanotte, Estevao, Gaga Slonina, Romeo Lavia, Landon Emenalo

Liverpool lineup vs Chelsea

Liverpool starting XI: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak

Liverpool substitutes: Freddie Woodman, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Florian Wirtz, Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Hugo Ekitike, Andy Robertson, Jeremie Frimpong