Estêvão's 95th‑minute winner lifts Chelsea past Liverpool

When Estêvão, a 18‑year‑old Brazilian winger, tapped in the 95th minute, Chelsea Football Club secured a 2‑1 win over Liverpool Football Club at Stamford Bridge on October 4, 2025. The dramatic finish not only ended Liverpool’s three‑game losing streak but also jolted the Premier League table, handing Arsenal the top spot while pushing Chelsea back into the top six.

Match overview and key moments

The clash, officially logged as Chelsea vs LiverpoolStamford Bridge, started with Chelsea pressing high. In the 23rd minute, a quick exchange saw Moisés Caicedo glide past Alexis Mac Allister and fire a low‑driven shot that curled into the bottom corner, giving the home side the lead.

Half‑time statistics painted a picture of a tightly contested battle: Chelsea held 52% possession, 5 shots on target versus Liverpool’s 3, and a respectable 3‑2 edge in duels won.

Liverpool, unwilling to fold, increased the tempo after the break. A sustained period of pressure in the 56th minute forced a corner, which turned into a scramble. Cody Gakpo lunged onto a loose ball and slotted home, equalising for the visitors. The goal sparked a flurry of chances – Mohamed Salah curled a free‑kick narrowly over the bar, while Darwin Núñez perched on the edge of the box twice, only to be denied by the Chelsea goalkeeper.

With the scores level and the clock ticking, both managers made tactical tweaks. Pochettino (Chelsea) introduced a fresh attacking duo, while Klopp (Liverpool) brought on a defensive midfielder to shore up the backline, but neither change produced a decisive breakthrough – until the final seconds.

Tactical battles and player performances

The left‑back Marc Cucurella was a constant threat. He ventured forward repeatedly, delivering overlapping runs that stretched Liverpool’s right flank. His cross in the 95th minute, a low driven ball into the six‑yard box, found Estêvão waiting in the penalty area.

Statistically, Cucurella logged a remarkable 7.4 km covered, the highest distance among all outfield players. His defensive contributions were equally impressive – two interceptions and three tackles – underscoring his all‑round impact.

On Liverpool’s side, Gakpo’s work rate stood out. He recovered 12 balls in the second half and completed 84% of his passes, but the team's midfield failed to create a clear avenue for a winner after the equaliser.

Enzo Fernández, playing a deep‑lying playmaker role for Chelsea, dictated tempo with an 84% pass accuracy and a key pass that led to the opening goal. His composure helped absorb Liverpool’s presses and keep the ball moving into dangerous areas.

Reactions and table implications

Post‑match, Pochettino praised his youngsters, saying, “Seeing a kid like Estêvão keep his cool in the dying minutes tells you the future is bright for this club.” Klopp, meanwhile, admitted the loss was “a bitter pill” but emphasized the need to regroup ahead of the next fixture against Manchester City.

Arsenal, who had sat a point behind Liverpool before the match, leapt to the top of the Premier League with 56 points, overtaking the Merseyside side that slipped to 52. Chelsea’s climb into sixth place puts them just four points behind the European‑qualification spots, reigniting hopes of a return to the Champions League.

Betting markets reacted instantly – odds for Liverpool to finish in the top four widened, while Chelsea’s odds to qualify for Europe shortened dramatically.

What this means for Liverpool and Chelsea

Liverpool now face a critical period of reflection. Three straight defeats have exposed defensive frailties, particularly against late‑game set‑pieces. Experts, such as former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, warned, “If Klopp can’t tighten the back line, we will see the title slip further away.”

For Chelsea, the win injects belief. The manager hinted at a possible shift toward a younger core, noting that “players like Estêvão and the midfield trio of Caicedo, Fernández and Cucurella are the engine room we need.” The club’s next challenge comes against Tottenham on October 20, a local derby that could solidify their top‑half status.

Both sides will also have to manage fatigue. The match featured 12 yellow cards – six each – and a total of 24 fouls, indicating a physically demanding encounter that could influence squad rotation in the coming weeks.

Historical context and looking ahead

Late‑minute winners have become a hallmark of the 2025 Premier League season. In the previous week, Tottenham snatched a 3‑2 victory over Newcastle with a goal in the 94th minute. Liverpool, however, have now endured two consecutive defeats decided after the 90th minute, the first time this has happened since the 2016‑17 season.

Looking forward, the league schedule packs a crucial stretch: Liverpool must face Manchester City on October 14, while Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures include a clash with Manchester United on October 27. How each team navigates these tests will likely determine whether Liverpool can reclaim the title chase or whether Chelsea can cement a top‑four push.