Jorginho’s winner against Leeds United was the latest we had scored in the Premier League since Florent Malouda against Stoke City in September 2009. Join us as we reminisce about some of our famous late goals over the past two decades, including a few against our opponents on Thursday night, Everton…
When Jorginho stepped up to the penalty spot in the 94th minute of a feisty game against Leeds on Saturday, he would have known at that precise moment that the next swing of his right boot would almost certainly hold the difference between three points or one.
It wasn’t quite all or nothing, but the thrill of having so much at stake in stoppage time is something that we as fans can share with the players. Sometimes, you’re on the wrong end of such moments, but when it all comes together…
Of course, Jorgi made no mistake with his spot-kick, the Blues took the spoils, and it was party time at Stamford Bridge.
These decisive late goals don’t come around every week, so enjoy the video above and remind yourself of a few more times when Chelsea players delivered when it mattered most in the Premier League.
Marcos Alonso, Manchester City 2020/21
Chelsea qualified for the Champions League by only a point, so it’s fair to say that Alonso’s late-season strike at the home of the champions in the 92nd minute was vitally important (or at least it seemed so until we won the competition anyway). He met Timo Werner’s pull-back with a looping effort that helped us to the second of three wins against City in the space of a couple of months.
Tammy Abraham, Arsenal 2019/20
Although there was still a bit of time to play after Abraham’s 87th minute turn and shot, this win at the Emirates Stadium was all the more enjoyable since we found ourselves a goal behind with seven minutes to play. Jorginho and then Abraham scored to ruin Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal homecoming.
John Terry, Everton 2015/16
This six-goal thriller took place during an otherwise forgettable campaign for the Blues. All of the goals came in the second half, with Everton leading 2-0 and then 3-2, but in the eighth minute of stoppage time there was another twist to come, as Terry, who had earlier scored an own goal, pulled out a back-heeled finish to earn us a share of the spoils.
Willian, Everton 2014/15
Another late showing against the Toffees pushed us a step closer to Premier League glory in 2015. Tim Howard had repelled us time and time again throughout the previous 88 minutes, but finally he was beaten in the last minute of normal time. Willian was the scorer, fizzing home a first-time strike from the edge of the box.
Fernando Torres, Manchester City 2013/14
This top of the table clash looked set to finish 1-1 until a comical mix-up between Matija Nastasic and Joe Hart presented Torres with the easier goals of his career. The defender headed the ball past his own keeper, who had needlessly rushed out of his net, leaving our Spanish number nine to pounce. A highly skilled contest settled by a moment of madness.
Frank Lampard, Everton 2013/14
Everton fans must have had a sense of deja vu around their trips to the Bridge during this period. Once again, Howard was a one-man brick wall blocking our route to goal, until his hard work was undone in the dying moments of the game. This time he was beaten by a Lampard free-kick that was initially given as a Terry goal, until replays confirmed he hadn’t got a touch.
Florent Malouda, Stoke City 2009/10
'Scoring in the last minute of injury time is a good feeling – I felt like Michael Jordan in the money time,' said Malouda after his dramatic late strike settled a gripping game early on in our Double-winning season. It was virtually the last kick of the match and the Potters couldn’t believe they’d let a lead slip against us for the second time in nine months…
Frank Lampard, Stoke City 2008/09
Rory Delap had given Stoke a second-half advantage that looked like being the winner, as they were in front with three minutes to go. Then Juliano Belletti equalised and, with just seconds remaining, Lampard marked his 400th appearance for the Blues by doing something he had done over and over again in the previous 399.
Hernan Crespo, Wigan Athletic 2005/06
For the first game of our title defence we travelled to Wigan, who were embarking upon their maiden top-flight adventure. For 89 minutes you would have been hard-pressed to decide which side was which – until Crespo produced a world-class strike from distance, with his weaker left foot, that arrowed into the top corner.
William Gallas, Tottenham Hotspur 2005/06
It was an emotional day at Stamford Bridge as the Blues took on Spurs in our first home game since Peter Osgood passed away. It looked like finishing all-square until Gallas produced a one-man tribute to the King of Stamford Bridge with a curling strike from the edge of the box to settle it.
Claude Makelele, Charlton Athletic 2004/05
The game didn’t matter; Chelsea were champions, ready to collect the Premier League trophy for the first time. Then, in the last minute, we were awarded a penalty and Claude Makelele, scoreless in his previous 93 games as a Blue, stepped up to take it. Now it mattered! Unsurprisingly, Maka’s effort was saved, but the rebound came straight back to him and he scuffed it in. Cue bedlam at the Bridge.
Marcel Desailly, Tottenham Hotspur 2001/02
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Teddy Sheringham, two of the best strikers in the early Premier League era, had gone toe-to-toe in this one, trading two goals apiece in a thriller at the Lane. But the Spurs defence clearly forgot about Desailly, as he was left completely unmarked at the back post to head the winning goal at the death.