Estevao delivered a stunning late goal for Chelsea, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory over defending champions Liverpool in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Brazilian teenager’s decisive strike in added time not only marked his first goal since joining Chelsea from Palmeiras but also intensified Liverpool’s woes, sending them into the international break with their third consecutive defeat.
Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo opened the scoring before halftime with a powerful shot from outside the box, igniting hopes of a potential turnaround for the Blues. However, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo equalized shortly after the break, setting the stage for a gripping finish.
Reflecting on the match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot lamented the fine margins that decided the outcome. “Last season, we lost against Chelsea as well. Stamford Bridge is always difficult to play at. We were very close to a result, but it’s all about small margins,” he stated. Slot also expressed concern over recent losses, including a defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League and a setback at Crystal Palace the previous weekend. “We conceded in extra time against Palace, and today they scored a goal that could go at either end,” he added.
In the meantime, Arsenal capitalized on Liverpool’s misfortune by claiming the top spot in the Premier League following a solid 2-0 victory against West Ham earlier in the day. With this win, Arsenal moved a point ahead of Liverpool, showcasing their resurgence in the title race after several seasons as runners-up.
Manchester United also celebrated a much-needed victory, defeating Sunderland 2-0, which provided a temporary respite for manager Ruben Amorim amid growing scrutiny regarding his future. Having yet to lead United to consecutive league victories in nearly a year, Amorim’s decision to make significant changes paid off. He dropped the $84 million summer signing Matheus Cunha and gave a first start to new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The bold moves resulted in first-half goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko, along with United’s first clean sheet of the season.
“This was a crucial win, especially with the pressure surrounding me. We need to focus on the next game now,” Amorim said after the match. His squad’s success comes during a challenging week, marked by criticism from former United stars Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, and with the international break often prompting managerial changes.
Meanwhile, Arsenal continued their impressive form with a fourth consecutive win, as Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, from the penalty spot, handed the new West Ham coach Nuno Espirito Santo his first defeat. Mikel Arteta, celebrating his 300th match in charge of Arsenal, was pleased with the team’s performance. “I wanted to celebrate it with a win, and I got it,” he remarked.
After a challenging start to the season, Arsenal has firmly placed themselves back in the title race. Saka, who marked his 200th appearance for the club with a goal, expressed confidence in Arteta’s leadership, stating, “We are in a strong place in the Premier League, and I’m looking forward to when that day comes when we win trophies.”
However, the victory came at a cost, as captain Martin Odegaard sustained another injury, leaving his status uncertain for the upcoming matches.
In other Premier League action, Mohammed Kudus scored his first goal for Tottenham, contributing to a 2-1 victory over Leeds United that solidified Spurs’ position in the league standings. Kudus’ strike from the edge of the box in the second half propelled Tottenham to third place, as they continue to thrive under manager Thomas Frank. The team is now unbeaten in their last seven matches, with only one league loss since Frank took over.
Kudus, one of Frank’s notable summer signings from West Ham, made his presence felt at Elland Road with a skillful cut-in and low shot past the Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Tottenham took the lead with a deflected shot from Mathys Tel, but Leeds managed to equalize through Noah Okafor before Kudus sealed the victory.
As the Premier League heads into the international break, this weekend’s matches have certainly reshaped the landscape, with Chelsea pulling off a critical win against Liverpool, Arsenal rising to the top, and Manchester United finding a glimmer of hope in their quest for consistency.
