Chelsea’s Cole Palmer makes Premier League history after netting four in Brighton win
Cole Palmer became the first player to score four first-half goals in a Premier League game when Chelsea beat Brighton 4-2 on Saturday, writes Edmund Brack.
The 22-year-old also had a goal ruled out and hit the post during the clash at Stamford Bridge as the Blues moved into the top four.
Palmer has 50 goal contributions in 53 games for Chelsea since he moved from Manchester City in a £45million deal last summer.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca, who worked with Palmer at Manchester City, said: “What he was as a boy is exactly what he was three or four years ago.
“Goals, assists, best player of the Premier League – this doesn’t change the way he is. He’s a humble guy and for me it’s the most important thing.
“He scored four but he also could have scored two or three more.
“It’s important he stays hungry and ambitious.”
Palmer, who is on a nine-year deal with the west Londoners, said: “I should have had five or six!
“When I missed the first chance, I was upset. But with the way they played and their high line, I felt we’d get more chances.
“I try and play every game the best I can.”
Palmer has been directly involved in 43 goals – 28 goals and 15 assists – in the Premier League, more than any other player since the start of 2023-24 season. The only time a player has scored four goals quicker in the league came in 2009 when Jermain Defore netted four for Tottenham in their 9-1 win over Wigan.
“He has got a bit of finesse -(Dennis) Bergkamp and (Robin) Van Persie about him, and they weren’t bad at all,” former England and Arsenal forward Theo Walcott told Match of the Day. “He has grown into his own at Chelsea and he is the main man. You can’t leave him out of any team – and I am talking about England too.
“He is so gifted. He will have that awe around him so that players are afraid of him. If he continues like this, he going to be a legend of the Premier League.”
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards said: “We don’t talk about his movement enough, the timing of his runs are brilliant. Everything he does is effortless in the way he does it.
“In terms of the brains of footballers, he is so ahead of the game. An absolute joy to watch.