Chelsea delivered a powerful performance at Stamford Bridge to defeat newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool, strengthening their push for a Champions League spot next season.

The match began with a respectful guard of honour for the visitors, but Chelsea quickly turned the mood competitive. Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute, capitalizing on Pedro Neto’s cross with a well-timed finish. From that moment, the Blues seized control.

Liverpool, having already secured the league title, fielded a rotated squad with six changes from the side that defeated Tottenham. The alterations seemed to cost them momentum, as they struggled to match Chelsea’s urgency in the early stages.

Chelsea doubled their advantage early in the second half when Cole Palmer’s clever dribble unsettled the Liverpool defence, leading to a chaotic moment in the box. Under pressure, Virgil van Dijk’s clearance attempt ricocheted off teammate Jarell Quansah and into their own net, gifting Chelsea a crucial second goal.

Though Liverpool rallied late, with substitute Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah squandering golden opportunities, Van Dijk pulled one back with a powerful header in the 85th minute. However, Palmer, who had earlier hit the post, sealed the win with a confident penalty in stoppage time after Quansah fouled Moises Caicedo.

Palmer, who hadn’t scored since January, was instrumental in all three goals and proved just how vital he is to Chelsea’s top-four ambitions. His return to form comes at the perfect moment ahead of their decisive clash against Newcastle next weekend.

Liverpool, meanwhile, showed signs of fatigue following their title celebrations. Despite the loss, their fans continued their joyous chants, proudly waving banners in honour of the club’s 20th league title. With the trophy presentation still to come at Anfield on the season’s final day, their focus now shifts to the celebrations rather than results.

Chelsea’s victory puts them level on points with Newcastle, trailing only on goal difference, making their upcoming encounter at St. James’ Park a pivotal battle for Champions League qualification.

As the 2024/25 Premier League season enters its final stretch, the title race is heating up with Liverpool maintaining their dominant position at the top of the table. With only four games remaining, the Reds sit comfortably on 82 points after 34 games, having recorded 25 wins, 7 draws, and just 2 losses.

Their closest rivals, Arsenal, trail by 12 points with 70 from 35 matches. Meanwhile, defending champions Manchester City are third with 64 points, followed closely by Newcastle United on 62.

In a competitive battle for European spots, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa are all tied on 60 points, setting the stage for a thrilling finish. At the other end of the table, Southampton, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town are in serious danger of relegation.

Here’s how the standings look as of 3rd May 2025:

🏆 Premier League 2024/25 – Points Table (as of 3rd May)

With just a handful of matches remaining, every point is vital—whether it’s for European qualification or avoiding relegation. Liverpool are on course for a historic title, while the fight for 2nd to 7th promises drama until the final whistle.

The much-anticipated SAFF Championship, originally scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka in July 2025, has now been officially postponed to 2026—a move that has raised serious concerns over the competence and credibility of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).

According to the SAFF Executive Committee, the decision to delay the tournament stemmed largely from pressure exerted by its marketing partner, Sportfive, which advocated for a home-and-away format to increase commercial value. Furthermore, it is reported that Sportfive preferred the event be hosted in Bangladesh or India, citing better sponsor access and commercial feasibility in those countries if the tournament were to follow a centralized model.

However, beyond external pressure, this development highlights a troubling reality: the FFSL’s inability to effectively organize and defend Sri Lanka’s hosting rights on the international stage. This isn’t merely a scheduling issue—it reflects a deeper pattern of administrative shortcomings, lack of vision, and prioritization of media narratives over tangible development.

As previously reported by Sri Lankan Sports TV, the FFSL continues to focus more on optics and media stunts rather than on the foundational work required to uplift football in the country. The failure to safeguard Sri Lanka’s opportunity to host a major regional tournament not only affects the sport’s growth domestically but also damages the nation’s reputation within South Asian football.

For a federation that has long promised reform and transparency, this latest setback exposes how little progress has actually been made. When commercial partners have more sway than the national football body itself, it’s a clear indication that local football governance is being undermined by weak leadership and poor planning.

This should be a wake-up call—not just for the FFSL, but for every stakeholder invested in the future of Sri Lankan football. The time for slogans and staged announcements is over. Sri Lanka needs action, accountability, and genuine commitment to building a sustainable footballing culture. Until then, headlines like this will only continue to reflect a sport lost in mismanagement.