October 5, 2025, London As he thought back on Chelsea’s arduous 2-1 triumph over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho, the renowned former manager whose name is inscribed on the team’s illustrious history, was overcome with emotion. The Portuguese manager, who led Chelsea to three Premier League crowns and a Champions League trophy during his two stints at the club, gave a sincere endorsement of Enzo Maresca’s young team in an exclusive post-match interview with TNT Sports. “I know Chelsea like the back of my hand. They always step up in finals and difficult games, and you hardly ever see them lose to the best teams. With pride and a hint of nostalgia in his voice, Mourinho said, “Tonight’s victory over Liverpool is another solid proof of that.”
Estêvão Willian’s heroics in stoppage time on Saturday night sealed the victory, which sent shockwaves through the Premier League and rekindled debates over Chelsea’s chances of winning a trophy this year. While watching the game from a distance, Mourinho, who is currently in charge of Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super Lig, paid close attention with the ferocity of a guy reliving his own heyday. His remarks coincide with a significant event: precisely 20 years have passed since he moved to Stamford Bridge in 2004, ushering in a period of supremacy that revolutionised English football. Praising his former team without reservation is no small effort for a manager who is sometimes referred to as “The Special One,” particularly in light of Chelsea’s current transition under American owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
The game itself served as a little representation of the tenacity Mourinho spoke of. Maresca’s careful 4-2-3-1 formation allowed Chelsea to withstand Liverpool’s second-half onslaught with their usual tenacity before launching a decisive attack. The tone was set by Moisés Caicedo’s 25-yard screamer in the 35th minute, which swerved past Giorgi Mamardashvili and demonstrated the midfielder’s development into a box-to-box force. Mohamed Salah’s opportunistic goal in the 60th minute, assisted by Cody Gakpo, gave Liverpool the equaliser, but Chelsea’s defence, led by a rejuvenated Marc Cucurella, held firm. The Liverpool talisman posed little threat outside of his goal thanks to the Spaniard’s brilliant man-marking of Salah.
Then came the moment of magic: in the 95th minute, 18-year-old Brazilian winger Estêvão, whose £50 million acquisition from Palmeiras is already paying off, was found by Cole Palmer’s accurate through pass. Chelsea moved up to fourth place in the table and Liverpool suffered their third loss in five games when the teenager’s calm finish, a low drive into the bottom corner, caused chaos among the 40,000 spectators. This goal exemplified the “big-game mentality” that Mourinho praised, which is the reluctance to give up against a team that has a wealth of Champions League experience.
Mourinho was more impressed by Chelsea’s psychological advantage than just the outcome. “With them, I’ve won everything—leagues, cups, Europe—and what really sticks out is how hungry the players get when the stakes are high. It’s Chelsea’s DNA, not simply their talent. We started with a squad that doesn’t falter, and Maresca is building on that. Seldom has the 62-year-old been so outspoken about his successors. He previously led Chelsea in 2015 until his contentious departure. Given his personal undefeated record versus Liverpool in league games throughout his tenure (five victories, three draws), his remarks are significant. Mourinho did, however, temper his kudos by acknowledging Liverpool’s difficulties: “Chelsea showed their weaknesses tonight, but Arne Slot has quality.” That is the behaviour of winners.
Mourinho’s views were repeated by other football pundits on the airwaves. Cucurella’s “incredible” performance the previous evening was previously cited by Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, who described it as a performance not seen from a Chelsea player in years. In his podcast analysis, Gary Neville concurred, saying: “Mourinho is correct—this Chelsea team has that old confidence in tight spots. Here, beating Liverpool? That is statement material. Even impartial onlookers pointed out the similarities to Mourinho’s unbeatable 2004–05 season, in which Chelsea crushed opponents with a combination of style and steel.
The accolades from his legendary predecessor were a welcome lift for Maresca. In just his second season as manager, the 45-year-old Italian has led a team revamp beset by high expectations and injuries. The depth was put to the test by important absences like Reece James (hamstring) and Romeo Lavia (knee), but substitutes like Cucurella and the summer addition Alejandro Garnacho, who shone with an assist on Estêvão’s game-winning goal, took the stage. After the game, Maresca remarked, “Hearing from Jose means a lot; he’s the blueprint for success here.” “Belief is the foundation of our mindset; we prepare for these situations.”
In comparison, Liverpool’s camp was quiet. Slot bemoaned the lack of brutality on his team’s part, saying, “We dominated spells but couldn’t kill it off.” Chelsea’s mindset prevailed. The loss has raised concerns about the Reds’ title defence and increased scrutiny of high-profile newcomers like Florian Wirtz, who was benched at halfway after a lacklustre performance. The competitive aspect of the top division is highlighted by Liverpool’s drop to third place, with Manchester City and Arsenal looming.
Chelsea’s comeback is made more intriguing by Mourinho’s influence. Big derbies are nothing new to him as manager of Fenerbahçe, but his relationship with Chelsea is unshakeable, as seen by his 2023 return to Stamford Bridge as Roma manager, where he was given a hero’s ovation in spite of a defeat. His support seems prescient now that the Blues are aiming for a top-two finish. He said, “They’ll be there at the business end.” “Take note of what I say.”
This win is more than simply three points; it serves as a reminder of Chelsea’s timeless appeal in the glitzy Premier League. The team has a way of performing at its best under duress, as evidenced by Mourinho’s heyday, Pochettino’s close calls, and now Maresca’s rise. Chelsea supporters will cherish what their most famous son said as the international break approaches: evidence that the Special One’s ghost still haunts Stamford Bridge and that it contributed to tonight’s memorable victory.
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