Chelsea gave their fans a night to remember, dismantling newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool with a confident 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge. But amid the goals and drama, one name stood out — Romeo Lavia.
The 21-year-old Belgian midfielder, whose debut season in blue has been blighted by injury, finally had his moment. After months of frustration and false starts, he was central to Chelsea’s best performance under Enzo Maresca yet.
“We are a better team with Romeo,” said Maresca after the match. “He’s been unlucky with injuries. But today, again, he showed what we’ve been missing.”
It took just three minutes for Chelsea to strike. Enzo Fernández pounced after a slick passage of play that began with Lavia winning the ball deep in midfield. The Belgians’ composure and vision set the tempo early, and Liverpool never quite recovered.
The home side doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Jarell Quansah inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while trying to intercept a low cross. And while Virgil van Dijk pulled one back for Liverpool with a powerful header, any hopes of a comeback were dashed deep into stoppage time.
Cole Palmer, as calm as ever, converted a penalty in the 96th minute after a foul on Raheem Sterling in the box.
“Credit to Chelsea,” said Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp. “They were sharper tonight. We weren’t good enough in the key moments.”
It wasn’t just the scoreline that impressed — it was Chelsea’s control, particularly in midfield. Lavia, making only his 10th league start of the season, dictated play with maturity beyond his years. He lasted 78 minutes — his longest spell since December — before gesturing to the bench that he needed to come off.
Maresca downplayed any fears of a setback. “He asked to come off. That’s normal at this stage. He’s still building rhythm,” the Italian told reporters.
Lavia’s journey has been anything but smooth. After a big-money move from Southampton last summer, his first year at Stamford Bridge has been marred by injury. Until recently, he had played just a handful of minutes. But on Sunday night, he looked every bit the midfielder Chelsea thought they were getting.
“He makes the game easier for the players around him,” said Fernández after the match. “You feel his presence. You trust him.”
The win lifts Chelsea into the European places — an unlikely rise considering their early-season struggles. For Liverpool, who sealed the title last week, it was a night that may not hurt the standings, but served as a reminder: next season, the gap may not be as wide as it once seemed.
And if Lavia stays fit, Chelsea could be a very different side.
