The Blues secured a vital 3-1 triumph over Liverpool at their home stadium, strengthening their pursuit of a top-five finish in the Premier League.

Enzo Fernandez’s swift opener set the tone for the match, and the team’s momentum continued with an unfortunate own goal by Jarell Quansah in the second half.

Although Virgil van Dijk managed to pull one back for the visiting team, Cole Palmer’s penalty in added time sealed the win for Chelsea, handing Liverpool only their third domestic defeat of the season.

The reigning champions, having already secured a record-equalling 20th English title, seemed lethargic and lacked motivation, whereas Chelsea had everything to gain from the encounter.

With their sights set on returning to the prestigious European competition, the team now sits level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle, who drew 1-1 with Brighton earlier in the day.

The battle for a top-five spot is intensifying, with sixth-placed Nottingham Forest poised to join Chelsea and Newcastle on 63 points if they emerge victorious against Crystal Palace on Monday. Manchester City, currently in third place, holds a slender one-point lead over Chelsea, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to the season.

Chelsea’s focus will shift to the UEFA Conference League semi-final second leg against Djurgardens on Thursday, where they hold a commanding 4-1 advantage. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s lackluster performance was reminiscent of their previous defeats against Nottingham Forest in September and Fulham in April.

The visiting team’s listless display was a far cry from their triumphant campaign, and it seemed as though the aftereffects of their title celebrations had taken a toll on their performance. As the season enters its final stretch, Chelsea’s victory has injected new life into their European ambitions, and they will be eager to capitalize on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.