Chelsea are on the verge of Champions League football after a 3-1 victory against title-winners Liverpool at home.
A win was desperately needed for Enzo Maresca's side, who face tough competition from several clubs battling for a top five spot.
The Blues honoured the Reds with a guard of honour before kick off, and caught their opponents by surprise soon afterwards - taking the lead early through Enzo Fernandez.
Cole Palmer made a huge impact in the second half - setting up a dangerous cross which deflected off Jarell Quansah for 2-0, and later dispatching a penalty to score his team's third.
Virgil van Dijk looked to get Liverpool back into the game with a header from a set piece, but it was too little, too late, as Chelsea picked up the full three points.
Here are four things we learned from Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool:
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A massive victory
This was a must win game for the Blues - especially after some crucial results elsewhere in the table.
Nottingham Forest had lost their last two league matches and face an in-form Crystal Palace on Monday, while Newcastle United settled for a draw earlier in the day against Brighton. Second place Arsenal also risk slipping down the table after failing to beat Bournemouth at home.
Chelsea will face Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in their final run of games, and will aim to pick up maximum points.
Liverpool were fresh from their title winning game against Tottenham, and looked to carry on that form here - but it wasn't to be, as they were bested and outclassed across all areas of the pitch.
There is always room to grow, and Enzo Maresca's side had the potential to add to their three goals, but to take three points from the champions-to-be on home ground will feel truly satisfying.
The Blues are now unbeaten in their last six league games, and will have real momentum heading into a tight final stretch - with the goal of Champions League football still alive.
- Palmer back at his best
There were loud cheers from the Chelsea fans late in stoppage time as Cole Palmer pulled out his trademark celebration after dispatching from the penalty spot, scoring his team's third goal of the game and securing the three points.
It was Palmer's first goal since January, ending a thirteen game league run without getting on the scoresheet.
The goal was just the tip of the iceberg, as the midfielder looked at his usual best all throughout this match.
Palmer's off the ball work and creative spark is crucial to Chelsea's dominance and style of play. He was particularly lethal in the second half and looked to have his confidence back - testing Allison with some great shots on goal and nearly scoring from open play, with a wonderful solo effort striking the inside of the post.
He was open and honest in his post match press conference, and spoke of avoiding the noise and negativity of social media, while always striving to improve his game to 'reach new levels.’
The slump could well and truly be over for Cole Palmer.
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Midfield dominance
For a team such as Liverpool, winning and keeping possession in the middle of the pitch is an important factor to controlling the game - and Chelsea looked to do just that.
Romeo Lavia's confidence in possession and ability to play the lines seems to completely transform this young Blues side - it gives them a boost of confidence that is much needed at this point in the season.
Maresca spoke of Lavia's importance, calling him one of the best midfielders in the world when fit. The Belgian has certainly been on top form since returning from injury, and did not misplace a single pass in this game.
Moises Caicedo was once again world-class; energetic as always, he provided safety to the defensive line and made some vital interceptions, especially late in the game, to keep his side ahead.
As there was no Alexis Mac Allister or Dominik Szoboszlai in Liverpool's starting lineup, Chelsea were utterly dominant in the middle of the pitch and used this to their advantage with their period of dominance in the first half, taking the lead quickly through Enzo Fernandez.
The goal was indicative of Fernandez's season as a whole, which has been his most successful one in a Chelsea shirt. Slotting in alongside Cole Palmer, he completes a box midfield that is only improving as time goes on, and could grow into a dominant force in European football.
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More needed from set pieces?
A performance as good as this one would have been capped off spectacularly with a clean sheet, but it wasn't to be for Chelsea - as Virgil van Dijk offered a consolation goal late in the game.
It was poor defending all round from a set piece; the Liverpool captain shook free of Noni Madueke and was given space and time to power a header past Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea could struggle in their next two games - Newcastle United's Dan Burn has the capacity to offer the same threat as Van Dijk, while Nottingham Forest's aerial dominance and physicality troubled the Blues earlier in the season, with a 1-1 draw the result.
As several in the Blues camp have already mentioned, every game is a final, and defence will be just as important as attack.
