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Liverpool are top-flight champions for the first time since 1990 thanks to Chelsea\u2019s 2-1 win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\nLiverpool are top-flight champions for the first time since 1990 thanks to Chelsea\u2019s 2-1 win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
Jurgen Klopp\u2019s Reds can finally celebrate the Anfield club\u2019s maiden Premier League triumph, after Christian Pulisic and Willian grabbed Chelsea a turbulent victory over City in west London.<\/p>\n
Kevin De Bruyne whipped in a wonderful, equalizing free-kick for City, but Willian coolly converted a penalty once Fernandinho was sent off for handball on a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.<\/p>\n
Liverpool\u2019s coronation has been on the cards since Christmas but was delayed and even under threat due to the coronavirus shutdown.<\/p>\n
Now, though, the Merseyside party can start in earnest, after Chelsea played Premier League kingmakers for the second time in four years.<\/p>\n
The Blues\u2019 2-2 draw with Tottenham in west London in 2016 sealed Leicester\u2019s first-ever Premier League crown.<\/p>\n
On that simmering Monday night four years ago, Chelsea\u2019s fans hailed former manager Claudio Ranieri steering the Foxes to glory, taunting rivals Spurs with chants of \u2018Leicester, Leicester\u2019 and \u2018champions, champions\u2019.<\/p>\n
This time around, Stamford Bridge was an eerie ghost ground, with the title-deciding clash held behind closed doors amid the continued pandemic fallout.<\/p>\n
Chelsea\u2019s victory might have rubber-stamped Liverpool\u2019s title, but this battling Blues performance will also prove a huge boost in the race for Champions League qualification.<\/p>\n
Two wins in two after the league\u2019s resumption puts fourth-placed Chelsea five points clear of Manchester United in fifth, and just one behind Leicester in third.<\/p>\n
Maybe now Liverpool fans will forgive Chelsea for scuppering their 2014 title bid, with that 2-0 win at Anfield that will be forever remembered for Steven Gerrard\u2019s slip.<\/p>\n
Chelsea certainly had to sweat for this result at a boiling Stamford Bridge, with City dominating possession and territory from the off.<\/p>\n
Kepa escaped unscathed from a poor clearance then conjured a fine save from Fernandinho\u2019s snap header.<\/p>\n
Chelsea grew into the encounter, however, with Ross Barkley, Olivier Giroud and Pulisic all influential.<\/p>\n
Barkley saw his low drive cleared off the line from Fernandinho, and that after Ederson palmed away an effort from Mason Mount.<\/p>\n
Andreas Christensen\u2019s powerful header was well saved at point-blank range by Ederson, and Cesar Azpilicueta blazed the loose ball high over the bar.<\/p>\n
Just when Chelsea would have started to fret about turning around without any reward, Mendy lingered too long and Pulisic seized full advantage.<\/p>\n
The fit-again USA forward gleefully zipped onto the ball and away from City\u2019s defense, before steadying himself and slotting a fine finish past the helpless Ederson.<\/p>\n
Mendy opened the second half so desperate for atonement that one piledriver poleaxed Christensen, while another soared high into the stands.<\/p>\n
In a flash City were level though, with the previously subdued De Bruyne unleashing a sumptuous free-kick.<\/p>\n
As the momentum continued to swing City\u2019s way, Raheem Sterling raced through and lifted the ball over the onrushing Kepa \u2013 but onto the post.<\/p>\n
Pulisic so nearly doubled his and Chelsea\u2019s tally, rounding Ederson and rolling the ball goalwards. But Kyle Walker produced a fine sliding challenge to clear off the line.<\/p>\n
Chelsea pressed again, with Abraham and Pulisic both denied in a lengthy goalmouth scramble.<\/p>\n
Fernandinho was called up for handball after a VAR check though, the City captain conceding a penalty and receiving a red card.<\/p>\n
Willian stepped up, checked his run and buried the spot-kick.<\/p>\n
City pressed to the last but Chelsea held out \u2013 sealing a big win in the Champions League race, but also that elusive league crown for Liverpool.<\/p>\n