Estevao scored a 95th-minute winner to earn Chelsea a 2-1 victory and inflict a third consecutive defeat in all competitions on Liverpool.
Liverpool were looking to bounce back from losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray having been knocked off top spot in the Premier League by Arsenal following their win over West Ham on Saturday.
However, the Reds were deservedly beaten when the Brazilian teenager Estevao turned home in added time, sparking wild scenes at Stamford Bridge, including from head coach Enzo Maresca, who was sent off for running down the touchline to celebrate with his players.
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Moises Caicedo’s stunning strike gives Chelsea an early lead in their Premier League clash with Liverpool
Arne Slot’s side had to come from behind after Moises Caicedo blasted Chelsea ahead in the 14th minute with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box that crashed into the top left corner.
Cody Gakpo delivered the equaliser in the 63rd minute when Alexander Isak’s touch from Dominik Szobozlai’s cross fell into the path of the forward to stab in.
Chelsea had the better of the first half, although struggled initially at the start of the second as their problems at centre-back continued with both Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong forced off injured.
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Cody Gakpo brings Liverpool level in their Premier League clash with Chelsea
Florian Wirtz came on at half-time and lifted Liverpool, albeit only momentarily, with Mo Salah wasting two good opportunities before Chelsea finished much stronger.
They pushed for a winner late on with substitutes Jamie Gittens and Estevao both forcing Giorgi Mamardashvili, standing in for the injured Alisson, into saves before he tipped over from another long-range Caicedo shot.
Enzo Fernandez should have put Chelsea ahead, heading Estevao’s cross against the outside of the left post, but the teenager tapped in from Marc Cucurella’s low cross for their first win in four league games.
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Estevao scored a stoppage-time winner for Chelsea in their Premier League clash with Liverpool
Cracks expanding in new-look Liverpool side
Critics argued Liverpool’s late wins over Burnley, Arsenal and Newcastle were papering over early-season cracks – and now they’re starting to show.
Their performance at Chelsea was a similar tale. Issues at full-back with Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley exposed, misfiring Mo Salah wasting chances and gaps in their expansive shape.
The summer spending spree has left Arne Slot with problems to solve. The jigsaw was pre-made when he took over from Jurgen Klopp, now it needs piecing together.
“A draw we definitely deserved, then we would have had a great start to the season, if you take into account everything that happened in the summer in Liverpool,” said Slot after their defeat.
This is his biggest challenge since taking over and the pressure is on after the club invested heavily.
In comparison, Arsenal’s new signings have gelled quicker and now lead the Premier League by a point. The title race is well and truly on.
Redknapp: Liverpool missing Trent
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp:
“They’ve got problems at full-back. They’re missing Trent (Alexander-Arnold).
“They haven’t played the same right-back since the Burnley game. (Conor) Bradley had a tough 45 minutes. (Milos) Kerkez hasn’t quite adapted either – the pressure of playing for Bournemouth isn’t the same.
“They have problems all over the pitch but especially at full-back with (Andy) Robertson’s injury at the end. This international break could be a good chance to reset.”
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Jamie Redknapp discusses Liverpool’s problems at full-back and believes the Reds are missing former talisman Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Slot: I felt we would go onto win
Liverpool boss Arne Slot told Sky Sports:
“Their first chance – the only chance they had in the first half, if you can look at it as a chance, is a shot from 20 yards and goes into the top corner.
“I felt the game was even, maybe they were better in possession but we started off really well in the second half. It wasn’t a surprise to me that we scored. I think in that period of time, I felt as if we could go one up in the last 10 to 15 minutes.
“It was an end to end game. We had chances to win it, they had chances to win it. And in the end again, we concede in the last second again.”
Moises Caicedo continues to prove his worth
Analysis by Sky Sports’ William Bitibiri at Stamford Bridge:
At a time when £100m+ signings are under intense scrutiny, it provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the fact that Moises Caicedo was once that player too. He’s now proving his worth – consistently performing at his best in Blue.
His goal, an arrowed effort into the top corner that stung the fingertips of Giorgi Mamardashvili, supplemented an all-round commanding display from the 23-year-old.
The Ecuador international set the tone for Chelsea’s spirited performance. In the middle of the park, he won 100 per cent of his aerial duals, won four of his five attempted tackles while also recovering the ball five times.
Caicedo was Chelsea’s metronome in midfield, with 64 touches and three passes in the final third. It feels as though he’s coming into his own as a leader for Chelsea in a side that many feel needs experienced heads. Caicedo has taken matters into his own hands.
His three goals in his last six Premier League games are as many as in his previous 113 games in the competition combined, reflecting his growing role as a Chelsea leader.
If Chelsea are to do anything of note this season, Caicedo has proved he can be relied upon at the heart of their midfield.
Caballero: Maresca is happy – the players were fantastic
Chelsea assistant manager Willy Caballero on Enzo Maresca after his sending off: “He’s OK. He’s so happy now. Of course he cannot be here now but we are so happy that we achieved the three points in the last seconds. We are so happy and so proud. The players did a fantastic job. Now is a good break for many of them and hopefully we can recover a few more players and start the new cycle of games with energy.”
On Maresca’s celebration: “It’s something special for any manager, no manager can hold inside what they feel. Unfortunately for him he was already on a yellow. We are all human beings. We have been players, we love to see that. For sure all of us we can learn from that as well.”
On injuries to Badiashile and Acheampong: “They are OK. They were a little bit concerned about their situations but we talked with them and they are OK. They need this break to recover well.”
Cucurella: We won the game with crosses
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella told Sky Sports:
“We always try to attack no matter the situation. The way they play, Salah is always ready to attack, so we knew that crosses could be an advantage. We won the game in this way today.
“Estevao deserves this moment. It’s never easy to adapt and he did so well.”
