Cole Palmer’s Historic Day at Chelsea
Chelsea’s 4-2 victory over Brighton wasn’t just another match; it was a career-defining moment for Cole Palmer. The young forward, only 22, notched all four goals in the first half—a feat that’s never been done before in Premier League history. He even had one disallowed and hit the woodwork, leaving Brighton scrambling to contain him.
Palmer’s clinical performance earned him comparisons to Dutch legends Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie. High praise from Theo Walcott, who admired his finesse and hailed him as “the main man” not only at Chelsea but also for England. “If he keeps this up, he’ll become a Premier League legend,” Walcott confidently remarked.
Micah Richards echoed the sentiment, pointing out Palmer’s effortless movement and football IQ, stating, “He has everything.” And Gary Lineker? Well, he was simply breathless, calling Palmer an “extraordinary footballer.” For Palmer, though, it’s all about staying hungry. He admitted post-match that he could’ve had more: “I should’ve had five or six!”
Breaking Records, Making History
Palmer didn’t just help Chelsea win; he carved his name into the record books:
- Scored the fastest-ever hat-trick by a Chelsea player in the Premier League (three goals in 9 minutes 48 seconds).
- Netted all four goals in under 20 minutes—only Jermain Defoe scored four quicker.
- Tied for the most Premier League hat-tricks for Chelsea since his arrival last season.
- A perfect 10-for-10 on penalties since joining Chelsea.
He’s also now the ninth player to score four goals in two or more Premier League matches. Talk about making an entrance!
Chelsea’s Secret Weapon? Palmer’s “Hunger”
Despite their extensive recruitment drive, Cole Palmer’s £42.5m transfer from Manchester City might be the best piece of business Chelsea has done. Scoring 22 goals last season, Palmer’s already bagged six this term. Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, praised Palmer’s humility and drive. “He’s ambitious and hungry,” said Maresca, noting that Palmer could’ve had even more goals in the Brighton match.
Palmer’s own words tell you all you need to know about his mentality: “I try to play every game the best I can.”
Chelsea & Brighton’s Tactical Chess Match
The match itself was high risk, high reward. While Maresca’s tactics helped Chelsea edge out Brighton, Palmer’s ruthless finishing made the real difference. Mistakes from Chelsea’s defense allowed Brighton to score, but Maresca preferred to look at the positives: “It was a learning experience,” he said, and his squad adapted well.
Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler, opted for a very high defensive line—a tactic that Chelsea exploited perfectly. Despite the risks, Hurzeler acknowledged Palmer’s brilliance, admitting that his side needs to “learn from these mistakes.”
