Chelsea defeated the title holders, Liverpool, 3-1 at Stamford Bridge to ignite their Champions League ambitions.

The Blues opened the scoring within three minutes through Enzo Fernández, who converted a close-range pass from Pedro Neto.

The game intensified after half-time as the champions pushed for an equaliser. However, Chelsea doubled their lead when Jarrell Quansah turned the ball into his own net following a misjudged clearance by Van Dijk that deflected off him.

Liverpool responded in the 85th minute, with Van Dijk redeeming himself by heading in a well-placed corner from Alexis Mac Allister, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.

In stoppage time, the hosts were given another opportunity after a late mishap from Szoboszlai led to a foul by Quansah on Ecuadorian international Moisés Caicedo, earning Chelsea a penalty.

Cole Palmer stepped up in the sixth minute of added time and calmly scored from the spot, ending his long goal drought and sealing the win for his team.

This marked Chelsea’s first home win over Liverpool in seven years. The result gives manager Enzo Maresca some breathing space, with his side now level on points with Newcastle in fourth. They also hold a 4-1 first-leg advantage over Djurgården in the Conference League semi-finals, putting them in a strong position to reach the final.