Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that his team will uphold the tradition of offering a guard of honour to Liverpool ahead of their match on May 4, 2025, following the Reds' recent Premier League title victory.
Liverpool secured the title after a 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on April 27, 2025, officially becoming champions with several games to spare. As part of the Premier League tradition, Chelsea will greet the newly crowned champions with a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, May 4, before the match kicks off at 16:30 BST.
“It’s tradition. We have to do that, and we are going to do that,” Maresca stated in his pre-match press conference. “They won the Premier League, so they deserve it,” he added, showing his respect for Liverpool’s achievement.
What is a Guard of Honour?
A guard of honour is a tradition in football where the players of the opposing team form two parallel lines and applaud the champions as they walk through them before the match kicks off. This act of respect is usually reserved for teams that have already secured the league title before their final match, and the champions walk through the line of applause from their opponents, regardless of whether they are playing at home or away.
While not mandatory, it serves as a gesture of respect for the winning team's accomplishment. The tradition has been part of English football since 1955, with Manchester United first giving Chelsea a guard of honour after their league title win.
It’s not just a domestic custom; across the Premier League, several clubs have offered guards of honour to title-winning teams, with some seasons seeing multiple instances.
Chelsea Reflects on Their Season and the Gap to Liverpool
While acknowledging Liverpool’s achievement, Maresca also reflected on Chelsea’s position in the league. There is currently a 22-point gap between the two teams, with Chelsea languishing in fifth place. Earlier in the season, Chelsea were seen as potential title contenders, but their form has dipped, leaving them trailing behind the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Newcastle.
“At Christmas, there were just four points between us and Liverpool, but dropped points in ten matches have caused the gap to widen,” Maresca noted. “They have been consistent compared to us. For part of the season, we were very good, but then we lost some games.”
The manager admitted that experience was one of the key factors in the gap between the teams. “They have experienced players who know how to win games. We are working on building that in our squad,” Maresca said. He expressed hope that Chelsea would improve next season, stating, “Our team next season will be better in terms of experience because this season has been one more year together.”
A Look Back at Premier League Guards of Honour
The guard of honour tradition has played a significant role in Premier League history, often marking a moment of mutual respect between rivals. Notably, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United team are thought to be the first Premier League side to receive a guard of honour, at Goodison Park in May 2003. It was offered by their opponents Everton as the Red Devils had already been confirmed as champions prior to the match.
Since then, the tradition has been repeated in 11 different seasons, often with multiple clubs paying tribute to the champions.
In 2015/16, Leicester City received guards of honour from both Everton and Chelsea during the closing matches of their historic title-winning campaign.
Manchester City were honoured four times following their dominant 2017/18 season.
But the most guards of honour in a single campaign came in 2019/20, when Liverpool were applauded onto the pitch seven times after winning the league with seven games to spare during the pandemic-hit season. With all matches behind closed doors, every one of their final opponents , including Chelsea, gave them the honour.
History of Guards of Honour in the Premier League
While a guard of honour is customary, there have been exceptions and memorable moments over the years. Here's a rundown of some significant examples:
2003 – Manchester United became the first Premier League team to receive a guard of honour from Everton at Goodison Park after United had already secured the title.
2005 – Manchester United gave Chelsea a guard of honour after the Blues won their first-ever Premier League title under José Mourinho.
2007 – Chelsea gave Manchester United a guard of honour following United’s title win.
2015 – Liverpool honoured Chelsea after the Blues’ second Premier League title win in 2015.
2016 – Leicester City were honoured with guards of honour from both Everton and Chelsea after their fairytale title win.
2020 – The 2020 pandemic season saw Liverpool receive the most guards of honour to date. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the league was played behind closed doors, and each of Liverpool's final seven opponents, including Chelsea, offered a guard of honour as the Reds had already secured the title with seven matches to spare.
2023 – Chelsea honoured Manchester City with a guard of honour after City’s successful title defense.
One of the more memorable guards of honour occurred in 2013, when Arsenal gave a guard of honour to Manchester United following their title win. However, the situation was somewhat awkward as Robin van Persie, who had left Arsenal to join United the previous summer, scored a penalty for his new club, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Some guard of honour moments have been especially memorable, or awkward. In 2004/05, Manchester United, who were champions the year before, gave Chelsea a guard of honour after they won their first Premier League title. Chelsea then beat them 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Two years later, the roles were reversed. Chelsea gave Manchester United a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge after United took back the title.
Exceptional Instances
While guards of honour are typically reserved for team champions, there have been occasions where individual players or managers have been honored in this manner.
2013: Sir Alex Ferguson received an individual guard of honour from his Manchester United players and staff in 2013, marking his retirement after a legendary 26-year career. The tribute took place at Old Trafford before the final home match of the 2012/13 Premier League season.
2017: John Terry, Chelsea's long-time captain, was given a guard of honour by both Chelsea and Sunderland during his final game for the club. He was substituted off in the 26th minute, where Chelsea gave him a second guard of honour mid-match.
2024: JĂĽrgen Klopp received a guard of honour from his Liverpool players in his final match at Anfield, after nine years that included Premier League and Champions League titles.
Roles will be reversed at Stamford Bridge on Sunday... đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/y7rju7llYZ
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 2, 2025
Liverpool secured the title after a 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on April 27, 2025, officially becoming champions with several games to spare. As part of the Premier League tradition, Chelsea will greet the newly crowned champions with a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, May 4, before the match kicks off at 16:30 BST.
Salah is getting a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge in front Hazard fans then in front of Saka at Anfield next week
— Braden 🇳🇱 (@Braden_LFC) May 2, 2025
pic.twitter.com/ecp1omFGQS
“It’s tradition. We have to do that, and we are going to do that,” Maresca stated in his pre-match press conference. “They won the Premier League, so they deserve it,” he added, showing his respect for Liverpool’s achievement.
What is a Guard of Honour?
A guard of honour is a tradition in football where the players of the opposing team form two parallel lines and applaud the champions as they walk through them before the match kicks off. This act of respect is usually reserved for teams that have already secured the league title before their final match, and the champions walk through the line of applause from their opponents, regardless of whether they are playing at home or away.
While not mandatory, it serves as a gesture of respect for the winning team's accomplishment. The tradition has been part of English football since 1955, with Manchester United first giving Chelsea a guard of honour after their league title win.
It’s not just a domestic custom; across the Premier League, several clubs have offered guards of honour to title-winning teams, with some seasons seeing multiple instances.
Chelsea Reflects on Their Season and the Gap to Liverpool
While acknowledging Liverpool’s achievement, Maresca also reflected on Chelsea’s position in the league. There is currently a 22-point gap between the two teams, with Chelsea languishing in fifth place. Earlier in the season, Chelsea were seen as potential title contenders, but their form has dipped, leaving them trailing behind the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Newcastle.
“At Christmas, there were just four points between us and Liverpool, but dropped points in ten matches have caused the gap to widen,” Maresca noted. “They have been consistent compared to us. For part of the season, we were very good, but then we lost some games.”
The manager admitted that experience was one of the key factors in the gap between the teams. “They have experienced players who know how to win games. We are working on building that in our squad,” Maresca said. He expressed hope that Chelsea would improve next season, stating, “Our team next season will be better in terms of experience because this season has been one more year together.”
A Look Back at Premier League Guards of Honour
The guard of honour tradition has played a significant role in Premier League history, often marking a moment of mutual respect between rivals. Notably, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United team are thought to be the first Premier League side to receive a guard of honour, at Goodison Park in May 2003. It was offered by their opponents Everton as the Red Devils had already been confirmed as champions prior to the match.
Since then, the tradition has been repeated in 11 different seasons, often with multiple clubs paying tribute to the champions.
In 2015/16, Leicester City received guards of honour from both Everton and Chelsea during the closing matches of their historic title-winning campaign.
Manchester City were honoured four times following their dominant 2017/18 season.
But the most guards of honour in a single campaign came in 2019/20, when Liverpool were applauded onto the pitch seven times after winning the league with seven games to spare during the pandemic-hit season. With all matches behind closed doors, every one of their final opponents , including Chelsea, gave them the honour.
History of Guards of Honour in the Premier League
While a guard of honour is customary, there have been exceptions and memorable moments over the years. Here's a rundown of some significant examples:
2003 – Manchester United became the first Premier League team to receive a guard of honour from Everton at Goodison Park after United had already secured the title.
2005 – Manchester United gave Chelsea a guard of honour after the Blues won their first-ever Premier League title under José Mourinho.
2007 – Chelsea gave Manchester United a guard of honour following United’s title win.
2015 – Liverpool honoured Chelsea after the Blues’ second Premier League title win in 2015.
2016 – Leicester City were honoured with guards of honour from both Everton and Chelsea after their fairytale title win.
2020 – The 2020 pandemic season saw Liverpool receive the most guards of honour to date. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the league was played behind closed doors, and each of Liverpool's final seven opponents, including Chelsea, offered a guard of honour as the Reds had already secured the title with seven matches to spare.
2023 – Chelsea honoured Manchester City with a guard of honour after City’s successful title defense.
One of the more memorable guards of honour occurred in 2013, when Arsenal gave a guard of honour to Manchester United following their title win. However, the situation was somewhat awkward as Robin van Persie, who had left Arsenal to join United the previous summer, scored a penalty for his new club, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Some guard of honour moments have been especially memorable, or awkward. In 2004/05, Manchester United, who were champions the year before, gave Chelsea a guard of honour after they won their first Premier League title. Chelsea then beat them 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Two years later, the roles were reversed. Chelsea gave Manchester United a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge after United took back the title.
Exceptional Instances
While guards of honour are typically reserved for team champions, there have been occasions where individual players or managers have been honored in this manner.
2013: Sir Alex Ferguson received an individual guard of honour from his Manchester United players and staff in 2013, marking his retirement after a legendary 26-year career. The tribute took place at Old Trafford before the final home match of the 2012/13 Premier League season.
2017: John Terry, Chelsea's long-time captain, was given a guard of honour by both Chelsea and Sunderland during his final game for the club. He was substituted off in the 26th minute, where Chelsea gave him a second guard of honour mid-match.
2024: JĂĽrgen Klopp received a guard of honour from his Liverpool players in his final match at Anfield, after nine years that included Premier League and Champions League titles.
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