Chelsea’s gamers and followers erupted in jubilation on the last whistle after a rousing 3-1 win over Premier League champion Liverpool on Sunday – however supervisor Enzo Maresca is aware of the highway again to Europe’s elite is much from over.
Stamford Bridge shook to the sound of “One Step Beyond” by Madness, as blue shirts danced, hugged and high-fived on and off the pitch. Maresca sprinted throughout the turf in celebration, swept up within the emotion of a efficiency that introduced perception roaring again to west London.
“Probably the best atmosphere of the season,” Maresca stated post-match. “This is what we need every game. At this stage of the season, you simply have to win – that’s why you saw everyone so happy at the end.”
Chelsea struck early, with Enzo Fernandez smashing residence to ignite the gang. A calamitous personal aim from Jarell Quansah doubled the lead. Liverpool rallied late – Virgil van Dijk gave the guests hope with a thumping Eighty fifth-minute header – however Cole Palmer sealed it from the spot in stoppage time, sending the Bridge into delirium.
The win saved Chelsea in fifth place, the ultimate Champions League qualifying spot within the Premier League, and narrowed the hole with groups above them.
The social gathering temper was a pointy distinction to tensions at Stamford Bridge as lately as mid-April, when Maresca blamed “the environment” within the stadium for a poor efficiency in a 2-2 draw with struggling Ipswich Town.
But behind Sunday’s celebrations – Chelsea’s first league win over Liverpool since 2021 – lurked the belief that the most important problem to their Champions League hopes continues to be forward.
Liverpool, topped English champion final weekend, fielded a half-strength beginning 11 as coach Arne Slot gave a few of his understudies an opportunity to shine.
In their three remaining video games, Chelsea should journey to Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest – each additionally chasing Champions League locations – and host an out-of-form Manchester United crew trying to end the season with some momentum.
Maresca stated he was taking the season’s finale one match at a time however emphasised it was “very important” for Palmer to be again on the scoresheet.
Palmer scored 14 objectives in Chelsea’s first 21 video games of the season however had not discovered the again of the web since mid-January.
Slot stated he was disillusioned to not observe final weekend’s title-clinching success with a greater outcome however praised his gamers for dominating possession and for extending their document of scoring in each away league recreation this season.
The Dutchman additionally expressed shock that Chelsea’s title ambitions had pale so rapidly after operating Liverpool shut in a 2-1 loss at Anfield in October.
“I expected them to be a threat this season,” he stated. “To be 19 points ahead of them is a big compliment.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com