Teenage Dream Sours Liverpool’s Week as Estevao Fires Chelsea to 2-1 Win
Brazilian wonderkid, Estevao inflicted a damaging third consecutive defeat on Liverpool on Saturday, netting his first Chelsea goal deep into stoppage time to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.
The stunning late winner by the teenage sensation ended Chelsea’s three-game winless run in the Premier League.
For Liverpool, however, the loss compounds a “nightmare week” after they had won their opening seven games of the season in all competitions, giving manager Arne Slot plenty to worry about heading into the international break.
The result provided a major boost to Arsenal, who beat West Ham United 2-0 earlier in the day to climb to the top of the Premier League table, leaving Liverpool trailing the Gunners by a single point. Chelsea, meanwhile, edged up to sixth place.
Despite being hit by injuries, Chelsea were full value for the victory. They took the lead on 14 minutes through a scorching strike from Moises Caicedo.
The one-time Liverpool transfer target blasted the ball into the top corner, putting the Blues 1-0 up at the break.
Caicedo’s move to Chelsea last year had broken the record for the most expensive Premier League player, a title since taken by Liverpool’s new $168 million signing, Alexander Isak.
The Swedish striker, still yet to register his first league goal for the Reds, did play a crucial part in the equaliser just after the hour mark. His deft touch set up Cody Gakpo to level the score at 1-1.
With the match seemingly headed for a draw, Chelsea pushed forward in the dying moments. In deep stoppage time, Estevao arrived at the far post to meet a cross from Marc Cucurella, sliding in to guide the ball home and ignite pandemonium in the stadium.
The decisive goal sent manager Enzo Maresca into wild celebrations, with the Italian boss sprinting down the touchline in excitement—a move that earned him a red card from the referee.
The 2-1 defeat leaves Liverpool’s title aspirations facing an early wobble, while Estevao’s moment of brilliance will be a highlight for the rejuvenated Chelsea side as the league pauses for international fixtures.
