Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool result: Cole Palmer ends goal drought to boost The Blues’ top five bid against the champions at Stamford Bridge

Cole Palmer ended an 18-game goal drought as Chelsea bolstered their hopes of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 victory over newly crowned champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

The England international was superb throughout and capped his fine individual performance with a stoppage-time penalty to seal three crucial points.

The hosts got off to a flyer when Enzo Fernandez polished off a delightful move involving Palmer and Pedro Neto to notch the opener on three minutes.

Liverpool dominated for long periods but lacked a cutting edge and Neto was a whisker away from doubling the home side’s advantage with a rasping low shot into the side netting just before half-time.

Enzo Maresca’s men did add a second on 56 minutes when Virgil van Dijk hammered a rushed clearance against Jarell Quansah for an unfortunate own goal after more brilliance from Palmer.

Van Dijk reduced the arrears with a late header, but Palmer made sure of the points after Quansah compounded a tough afternoon by conceding a penalty with almost the last kick of the game.

The result maintains Chelsea’s position in the top five and moves them level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle and four behind Arsenal in second spot with three games to play.

Next up, Chelsea will look to seal their spot in the UEFA Conference League final when they host Djurgarden on Thursday before visiting Euro rivals Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday.

Liverpool, who suffered just a third league loss of the campaign, welcome Arsenal to Anfield.

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"Yes, it’s a big day for Chelsea.

"The Champions League race fluctuates from week to week and it’s a statement victory for Maresca. You felt in the chats from the Chelsea fans as they were singing ‘come on Chelsea’ with five or 10 minutes to go, that they knew how big it was.

"It wasn’t quite the day for Arne Slot and his players have obviously won the league and have celebrated.

"They were a little bit off it, but it is about Chelsea today. They are sending a message to Nottingham Forest - over to you, let’s see what you can do tomorrow night."

Two down and four – but quite probably five - to go.

The Blues have now won the first two matches of a crunch month of May and could yet end the season on a high on two fronts.

The second-leg of the Conference League semi-final at home to Djurgarden looks like being academic with a commanding 4-1 first-leg lead, so a Conference League final also seems nailed on.

That leaves Newcastle (a), Man United (H) and Nottingham Forest (a) in the English top-flight to determine whether Maresca’s men can secure Champions League football for next term.

The Blues are in decent form and are now unbeaten in six, winning four of those matches as well as taking 20 points from their last 27 available.

As for Liverpool, this was just a third league loss of the campaign. Arne Slot’s team selection showed The Reds don’t have as much to play for as Chelsea. The fringe players who started as part of six changes from the win over Spurs didn’t really deliver and their first outing as champions ended on a low note.

Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool.

The game's main man has the final say as he ends his long run without a goal with a clinical spot kick.

Quansah trips Caicedo after the Chelsea man pounced on a loose pass from Szobszlai.

Chelsea seem to have steadied the ship.

Five minutes added.

James on for Fernandez.

Neto skies a poor 20-yard effort way off target from Caicedo's neat lay off.

Sancho booked.

The superb Palmer still can't find that goal to end his drought as Alisson thwarts his latest effort from distance.

The hosts don't pick up the big Dutchman at a right-wing corner and he bullets a header home to set up a nervy finale for Maresca and Co.

Tsimikas off, Chiesa on.

That will qualify Chiesa for a PL medal with only his fifth appearance in the top-flight this term.

Palmer marauds beyond Bradley far too easily but his shot from a narrow angle flashes beyond Alisson and against the far post.

It could be three but Alisson does magnificently to palm away Sancho's low side-footer from close-in on the left side of the box.

Lavia off, Gusto on.

Salah heads wide from Tsimikas' clever cross.

The Merseysiders have netted in all but one of their 34 PL matches this term (v Nottingham Forest back in September).