Three things we learned as Chelsea beat Liverpool at Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool will go down as one of the most dramatic in the Clearlake Capital–Todd Boehly era, defined by Estevao’s last-gasp strike and a patched-up defence that rose to the occasion. Despite yet another red card — this time for manager Enzo Maresca himself — the Blues head into the international break rejuvenated, climbing to sixth and building crucial momentum.

Chelsea not only overcame an injury crisis in defence but also saw their 18-year-old prodigy steal the spotlight in stoppage time.

With back-to-back victories over Benfica and Liverpool, Maresca’s side look to be finding form at the right moment. The question now is whether this resilience can be sustained when domestic action resumes on 18 October against Nottingham Forest.

This was the coming-of-age moment Chelsea fans had been waiting for. Introduced late on, Estevao made his short cameo unforgettable with direct dribbling, fearless positivity, and a striker’s instinct to be in the right place at the right time.

When Marc Cucurella whipped in a low cross deep into stoppage time, the Brazilian teenager pounced at the back post to secure victory. His joyous celebration — sprinting to the corner flag before embracing every team-mate after full-time — underlined just how special the moment felt for both player and club.

Maresca’s defensive selection was a puzzle with Trevoh Chalobah suspended, Wesley Fofana sidelined, and both Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo injured. Yet those who stepped in delivered admirably.

Josh Acheampong, just 19, impressed with his composure and confidence in possession, while Benoit Badiashile produced a commanding display before his own injury cut his night short. Malo Gusto also adapted brilliantly when deployed as a holding midfielder, even assisting Moises Caicedo’s thunderous opener.

As injuries mounted, Reece James shifted from right-back into the centre, showing tactical flexibility and leadership in marshalling Liverpool’s press. These performances highlight the squad depth and tactical adaptability Chelsea will need in a gruelling season.

Ironically, the man who had been demanding discipline from his squad was the one dismissed at Stamford Bridge. Maresca received his marching orders after celebrating wildly on the pitch, having already been booked earlier in the game.

Chelsea have already seen Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah and Joao Pedro sent off in recent weeks, and now the head coach himself will serve a touchline suspension against Nottingham Forest. While the emotional outburst was perhaps understandable after Estevao’s late goal, Maresca must heed his own warnings if Chelsea are to avoid costly bans in the future.

FootballPlace analyst John William believes the win could be transformative. “This was Chelsea’s most convincing display under Maresca, balancing control with resilience. The way young defenders stepped up shows the squad’s depth, and Estevao’s late strike is a glimpse of the future.”

On the discipline issue, he added: “Maresca’s passion is infectious, but Chelsea’s habit of red cards could derail momentum. The focus in the next phase has to be on composure.”

The international break arrives at both a good and bad time. Chelsea can regroup and recover key defenders, but the pause could halt their momentum. Maresca’s touchline ban against Nottingham Forest on 18 October will add intrigue, but the team will be expected to continue their winning streak.

Estevao’s emergence will be one to watch. If his confidence continues to grow, he could become a genuine attacking weapon in the second half of the season. For Chelsea, managing youthful exuberance alongside squad discipline may be the key to turning promise into a top-four challenge.

👉 Was Estevao’s last-minute strike the true start of Chelsea’s revival under Enzo Maresca?