Chelsea stun Liverpool with late strike from Estevão

Brazilian starlet Estevão made an unforgettable impact at Stamford Bridge, scoring his first Chelsea goal deep into stoppage time to seal a dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday — handing the Reds their third straight defeat and lifting Arsenal to the top of the Premier League.

After a flying start to the season with seven consecutive wins, Liverpool have hit a worrying slump.

A difficult week for new boss Arne Slot ended in frustration, as Chelsea — despite dealing with a growing injury list — delivered a spirited performance to claim a deserved victory.

Moises Caicedo, once a Liverpool transfer target, opened the scoring in style with a thunderous 14th-minute strike into the top corner.

His goal was a reminder of the quality that once made him the Premier League’s record signing — a status recently overtaken by Liverpool’s £125 million acquisition of Alexander Isak.

Isak is still waiting to open his Premier League account, but he played a key role in Liverpool’s equaliser, delicately setting up Cody Gakpo just after the hour mark.

With both teams pushing for a winner, it was Chelsea who found the breakthrough. Marc Cucurella’s low cross found Estevão at the far post in the dying seconds, and the 17-year-old slid in to send the home crowd into raptures.

The celebrations spilled over as Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca sprinted down the touchline — earning himself a red card.

Liverpool now sit one point behind Arsenal, while Chelsea climb to sixth, gaining momentum heading into the international break.

*Odegaard injured again as Arsenal cruise past West Ham*

Arsenal marked Mikel Arteta’s 300th game in charge with a convincing 2-0 win over West Ham — but the night wasn’t without concern.

Club captain Martin Ødegaard was forced off before half-time, the third time this season he’s suffered an injury setback.

Despite the blow, Arsenal looked dominant throughout, underlining their strength in depth and title credentials.

“We dominated and fully deserved to win this,” said Arteta.

“To go top of the table after some big fixtures over the last week and some injuries… we were able to respond.”

Declan Rice, facing his former club, opened the scoring with a powerful strike after Alphonse Areola spilled a shot from Eberechi Eze. Bukayo Saka then marked his 200th Arsenal appearance by converting from the penalty spot after Jurrien Timber was brought down by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The win keeps Arsenal’s title hopes very much alive — but all eyes will be on Ødegaard’s fitness in the coming days.

*Relief for Amorim as United see off Sunderland*

At Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim finally caught a break. His Manchester United side secured a much-needed 2-0 win over Sunderland, ending a dismal run of form that had seen just 34 points collected from his previous 33 Premier League games.

“We were a competitive and adult team today,” Amorim said post-match. “We need to do this kind of performance away as well — it’s our responsibility to play like this.”

Before kickoff, the stadium observed a poignant silence in memory of victims of a recent terror attack on a Manchester synagogue.

Amorim’s bold team selection paid off: debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens kept a clean sheet, while Mason Mount — starting ahead of Matheus Cunha — opened the scoring with a clinical finish from Bryan Mbeumo’s cross. Benjamin Sesko added a second with a well-taken goal from a long throw-in, his first at Old Trafford since arriving from RB Leipzig.

Sunderland had a brief moment of hope when awarded a penalty late in the half, but VAR overturned the decision, ruling there was minimal contact from Sesko on Trai Hume.

*Tottenham End Leeds’ Elland Road Fortress Run*

Elsewhere, Tottenham continued their impressive progress under Thomas Frank with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Leeds — bringing an end to the hosts’ 12-month unbeaten run at Elland Road.

Mohammed Kudus scored his first goal for Spurs to clinch all three points after Mathys Tel’s opener was cancelled out by Noah Okafor.

“That feeling to get over the line, to get three points, was big,” said Frank, whose side now sit third in the table.

AFP