Cole Palmer a bright spark for Chelsea as they look to get on winning roll with Brentford test up next

BY PAUL LAGAN
paul@slpmedia.co.uk

Chelsea face another tricky derby tomorrow when Brentford come calling at the Bridge, not quite knowing the level of performance the Blues will produce.

Chelsea are desperate to get on a winning roll to give themselves a realistic chance of getting into Europe next season.

The boys from SW6 are 10th in the Premier League after the 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal last weekend – six points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool.

Draws  are not good for Chelsea. And while there has been an increase in cohesiveness in their team play of late, there is still the ability to throw goals away, which is what they did for the brace hit by the north Londoners, who came back from 2-0 down.

But one shining light all season has been Cole Palmer. The summer signing from Manchester City is loving life down in the ‘Smoke’.

He slotted home the penalty to put the Blues 1-0 up against Arsenal.

Palmer said: “We’re obviously very disappointed not to get the three points but Arsenal are a very good side, one of the best teams in the league. We went toe-to-toe with them. We played very well but we could have got so much more. It’s gutting not to get the three points.”

As for his time in London, he said: “I came to Chelsea to try to make an impact. I’m happy I’ve done it straight away. I’ve just got to try to improve every day and give more and more.”

Chelsea are joint top of the Women’s Super League, along with Manchester City on 10 points, after their 4-2 win over Brighton on Sunday at Kingsmeadow. The league takes a back seat ahead of Nations League, World Cup and Olympic qualifiers and a host of international friendlies this coming week.

England face Belgium tonight with Fran Kirby, Millie Bright, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Lauren James and Hannah Hampton in the squad.

Ann-Katrin Berger and Sjoeke Nusken could face Wales and Iceland for Germany while Sophie Ingle’s Wales side face Denmark.

Maren Mjelde will fly the flag for Norway as they prepare for their double header against France. Erin Cuthbert is a doubt for Scotland for their home and away matches against the Netherlands with a niggling muscle injury.

Sweden take on Switzerland and Italy with Zecira Musovic and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in the squad. Jelena Cankovic is set to represent Serbia, who play back-to-back matches against Poland.

Sam Kerr will lead Australia as they begin their quest to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with three Asian qualifiers against Iran, Philippines and Chinese Taipei in Perth.

Canadian trio Kadeisha Buchanan, Ashley Lawrence and Jessie Fleming will take on Brazil in a friendly double-header.

Mia Fishel is in the US squad for their friendly double-header against Colombia.

PICTURE: PA