Caicedo’s stunning strike seals Chelsea’s European return as Blues bid farewell to Silva

Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo scored a sensational goal from the halfway line, to seal a crucial 2-1 win over Bournemouth.

While the strike marked his first ever Chelsea goal, it helped the Blues secure European football for next season.

The Ecuadorian midfielder stunned Stamford Bridge with the audacious 50.5-yard strike.

After Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto’s poor clearance, Caicedo controlled the ball and launched it into the empty net, marking his first goal for Chelsea since his £115 million move from Brighton last summer.

His effort is the longest goal scored in the Premier League since Wayne Rooney’s 57.7-yard strike for Everton in 2017.

While Caicedo has faced criticism throughout the season, he has stepped up his game in recent weeks.

His remarkable goal not only helped Chelsea secure European qualification but also capped off a strong end to the season for the 22-year-old.

The match was also emotional for Chelsea fans as they bid farewell to veteran defender Thiago Silva, who played his final game for the club.

A banner honouring Silva, who has been a vital figure since joining in 2020, was displayed in the stands.

The former PSG star will return to his home country Brazil, where he has agreement in place to play for Fluminense and

Aside Caicedo’s stunner in the encounter, Raheem Sterling also got on the scoresheet, before a Benoît Badiashile’s own-goal early in the second half, bringing the match to 2-1.