Estevao announces himself: Chelsea’s kids and Caicedo floor the champions at the death

Stamford Bridge lived a moment to savour as Estevao Willian slid in a 95th‑minute winner to deliver Chelsea a richly deserved 2-1 victory over Liverpool. Moises Caicedo’s thunderbolt set the tone, Cody Gakpo briefly levelled, and then the Brazilian teenager—so lively after coming on—arrived at the back post to settle it in front of a delirious Matthew Harding Stand.

Enzo Maresca could not contain himself, sprinting down the touchline to join the celebrations and seeing red for his troubles. It felt a defining surge of belief for a youthful Chelsea who married grit with clarity, overcame defensive injuries, and found match-winning impetus from the bench.

Caicedo the standard-setter: a screamer and a statement

Chelsea’s early superiority crystallised on 14 minutes when Caicedo, fed quickly in acres of space, ripped a rising drive from distance past Giorgi Mamardashvili and into the top corner. It was a strike of rare conviction and emblematic of his authority; late on he forced another flying save from the Liverpool goalkeeper and, deep into added time, tracked a dangerous Robertson run to snuff out a break.

Around him, Maresca’s design clicked. Malo Gusto hassled Alexis Mac Allister out of rhythm and Alejandro Garnacho relentlessly probed behind Conor Bradley, whose struggles prompted changes at the interval. Chelsea’s control of territory and tempo owed as much to the midfield’s discipline as to the precision of their counters.

Adversity at the back, authority across the pitch

Injuries to Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong might have broken Chelsea’s flow, yet the response was measured. Reece James shifted roles to help a reshaped back line—featuring three full-backs by the final whistle—keep Liverpool largely at arm’s length aside from the equaliser.

Liverpool had their spell after the break—Florian Wirtz injected some thrust and Gakpo pounced when Alexander Isak’s touch from Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross fell kindly—but Chelsea’s midfield regained control and the hosts finished emphatically stronger.

The kids deliver: Estevao tips the balance

Maresca’s bench made the difference. Estevao and Jamie Gittens forced late stops from Mamardashvili, while Enzo Fernandez met an Estevao cross with a header that kissed the outside of the post. The pressure was mounting, the stamina evident, and the crowd sensed one more surge remained.

It came via Marc Cucurella, whose low cross skidded through to the back post. With Robertson dozing, Estevao ghosted in front to touch home his first Chelsea goal since joining from Palmeiras. Cue pandemonium, a celebratory sprint from Maresca, and the vindication of trusting youthful fearlessness.

A timely marker for Maresca’s project

This was one of Chelsea’s most complete wins under Maresca: a tactically sharp first half, resilience through injuries, and the late courage to go and win it. Caicedo and Fernandez were tireless, James set a tone of responsibility, and the teenagers supplied the spark that the game demanded.

It also ends a run of three league matches without victory and provides a lift before the international break. Next up is a trip to Nottingham Forest, with the hope that the time off allows key defenders to recover and the momentum of this night to carry forward.