Defeating Liverpool, Chelsea’s coach recreates Mourinho’s feat after 11 years

Chelsea rediscovered their winning spirit just in time, as Enzo Maresca became the first Chelsea coach to replicate what Jose Mourinho accomplished in 2014 following their 2-1 win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 4th.

Before hosting Liverpool, Chelsea had endured a run of three consecutive Premier League matches without a win and had only secured two victories in their last six games across all competitions. This inconsistent form put Enzo Maresca’s position under scrutiny, especially as criticism from the media and experts intensified.

The home team started strongly and quickly gained an advantage. Moises Caicedo unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the box, giving Chelsea the lead in the first half. However, in the second half, Cody Gakpo capitalized on a chance inside the penalty area to equalize at 1-1, making the match tense and tactical. Just when the game seemed destined for a draw, Chelsea made a decisive move. In the 90+5 minute, Marc Cucurella delivered a precise cross for young talent Estevao to finish, sealing a dramatic 2-1 win for the hosts. Players, coaching staff, and fans erupted in celebration.

This victory not only “rescued” Maresca but also placed him in a special statistical record. This marks the first time in 11 years, Chelsea have beaten Liverpool twice consecutively in the Premier League. The last time this was achieved was during Jose Mourinho’s tenure in 2014, with two wins of 2-0 and 2-1 over the Reds.

In their previous encounter in May, the Blues won 3-1, and today’s match confirms their timely comeback before the FIFA international break. Another interesting coincidence is that Mourinho returned to England midweek to lead Benfica, adding a “steel edge” to the Stamford Bridge sidelines.

Despite leading Chelsea to two trophies last season, Maresca faced doubts after a series of disappointing results recently, including a narrow win over Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup. Jamie Carragher even criticized him for not signing a new goalkeeper to improve on Robert Sanchez’s position.

However, the victory over Liverpool, the reigning champions, was a strong rebuttal. Chelsea demonstrated resilience, spirit, and the ability to turn the game around when necessary.

With the squad gradually recovering from injuries, the Blues can confidently aim for a top-tier finish, or even challenge for the title if they maintain the form and morale shown against Liverpool.