Chelsea supporters were forced to cover their eyes at full-time of Liverpool’s win over Newcastle as a farmilar face scored an added-time winner for the Reds.
Former Blues academy star Rio Ngumoha was on hand to win the game on his Premier League debut, maintaining their perfect start to the campaign in the process.
Chelsea will have been hoping that they were about to gain two points on their title rivals after their emphatic win over West Ham, after they were pegged back from 2-0 up by 10-man Newcastle.
The teenager found the net though with seconds to play, giving the club another painful reminder of the quality of player they could not convince to remain at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Chelsea fans left gutted as former youngster Rio Ngumoha scores winner for Liverpool
Ngumoha had scored in pre-season for Liverpool, already leaving some supporters concerned that they had let a talented individual slip through their fingers.
Chelsea fans took to social media after the game to share their dismay at seeing the talented youngster make his mark for one of their biggest rivals.
One user said: “Man the Chelsea sporting directors not convincing Rio Ngumoha to stick around with the state of left wing at the time for Chelsea is a massive scar on their resume. Complete failure.”
Man the Chelsea sporting directors not convincing Rio Ngumoha to stick around with the state of left wing at the time for Chelsea is a massive scar on their resume’.
Complete failure. #CFC
— USACFC (@USACFC_) August 25, 2025
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Another added: “Chelsea have blown half a billion on wingers and still don’t have one as good as Rio Ngumoha.”
A third stated: “Bro, this Ngumoha we allowed leave Chelsea for Liverpool looks like we’ve lost a gem.”
Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
There were some though who remembered the quality of young attackers the club already have at their disposal, both in big-name signings and players still coming up through the academy.
Another user claimed: “I’m happy for Rio Ngumoha. Only thing I’m annoyed about is that Chelsea should’ve given him more of a pathway than Tyrique George. But we’re still stacked with so much talent that we’re good, Paez, Quenda, Satpaev, and Cobham still too. Like Ryan Kavuma-McQueen.”
I'm happy for Rio Ngumoha.
Only thing I'm annoyed about is that Chelsea should've given him more of a pathway than Tyrique George.
But we're still stacked with so much talent that we're good, Paez, Quenda, Satpaev, and Cobham still too.
Like Ryan Kavuma McQueen. pic.twitter.com/uowSTmxmCJ
— JnR (@CFCJnR) August 25, 2025
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Finally, one user said: “Rio Ngumoha this, Rio Ngumoha that. Absolutely no doubting his potential is unlimited based on what we are already seeing… But let’s just remember that Estêvão, Quenda and Páez are Chelsea’s present and future. We are in good hands.”
Rio Ngumoha this, Rio Ngumoha that. Absolutely no doubting his potential is unlimited based on what we are already seeing…
But let's just remember that Estêvão, Quenda and Páez are Chelsea's present and future.
We are in good hands 💙. pic.twitter.com/Yylc8umv64
— ChrisCFC20 (@ChrisCFC1990) August 26, 2025
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Why Rio Ngumoha left Chelsea
Ngumoha had been playing three years above his age during his time as a Chelsea player, and there was plenty of excitement at the club about what he was about to do.
However, Ngumoha didn’t see a path to the first team at Stamford Bridge, and therefore looked elsewhere and ended up moving to Anfield.
Chelsea were desperate to keep Ngumoha, however he will feel vindicated in the decision he made to switch things up.
The Blues can now only look to their current academy stars and try and not make the same mistake again, with this one looking as if it will be one that hurts them for many years to come.