Chelsea secured an impressive 3-1 victory over newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Blues wasted no time in taking the lead, with Enzo Fernandez breaking the deadlock inside three minutes.
Pedro Neto scampered down the right and cut the ball back through the Liverpool box to Fernandez, who had enough time to set himself before slotting past Alisson.
Liverpool, fresh off being confirmed as the new kings of England, played with a carelessness and complacency of a team with nothing to play for.
Cole Palmer scored a late penalty to end a 19-game goal drought
Reuters
The hosts could have doubled their lead shortly after when Noni Madueke had a chance but couldn't convert.
Liverpool struggled to find their usual fluency with Arne Slot making six changes to his regular line-up.
Mohamed Salah was wasteful, missing two good opportunities in the first half.
Chelsea remained the better team throughout the opening period, with Neto causing Kostas Tsimikas problems down the right flank.
Madueke did have the ball in the net before the break, but the flag was raised for offside against Nicolas Jackson.
Chelsea continued their dominance after the interval and doubled their advantage in bizarre fashion.
JUST IN: World Snooker Championship final halted after medical emergency with players leaving table
Cole Palmer's cut-back to Madueke was intercepted by Wataru Endo, but when Virgil van Dijk went to clear the loose ball, he hit it straight at Jarell Quansah's groin and it bobbled backwards into the net.
Palmer nearly added a third when he drifted in from the left and looked to sneak a shot under Alisson, only for his effort to bounce off the post.
The England playmaker was the creative heartbeat for Chelsea throughout the match.
READ MORE: Andy Murray lands completely different job alongside Novak Djokovic coaching role
Cole Palmer was the star of the show even without the goal
Reuters
Liverpool set up a nervy finish when Van Dijk pulled one back in the 85th minute, rising high to head home Alexis Mac Allister's corner.
The tension at Stamford Bridge was palpable as the champions threatened a comeback.
However, Chelsea were given the opportunity to restore their two-goal advantage when Quansah tripped Moises Caicedo in the penalty area.
Palmer stepped up and made no mistake, slotting the ball past Alisson to end his 19-game goal drought with a superb spot kick in the final minute of added time.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Chelsea doubled their lead through an own goal from Jarell Quansah
Reuters
The victory moves Chelsea level on 63 points with fourth-placed Newcastle, who could only draw at Brighton earlier on Sunday.
The Blues are now behind Newcastle only on goals scored, with identical goal difference.
Enzo Maresca's side have now won four successive matches across all competitions, significantly boosting their Champions League qualification hopes.
They remain three points clear of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, who could join them on 63 points if they win at Crystal Palace on Monday.
