Fabulous Palmer Hits 20 Goals as Chelsea Thrash Everton 6-0
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer stole the show at Stamford Bridge as he scored four goals in a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League. The 21-year-old’s hat-trick came within the first 29 minutes of the match, showcasing his exceptional talent and taking his goal tally for the season to an impressive 20.
Palmer opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a stunning curling strike into the bottom corner. He nutmegged Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite before playing a one-two with teammate Nicolas Jackson, setting himself up for the brilliant finish. Just five minutes later, Palmer doubled Chelsea’s lead by heading in a rebound after Jackson’s shot was saved by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Midway through the first half, Palmer completed his hat-trick in style. He intercepted a poor pass from Pickford and lobbed the England goalkeeper from 40 yards out, leaving the fans in awe of his skill and precision. Jackson joined in on the goal-scoring action just before halftime, volleying in Marc Cucurella’s cut-back to make it 4-0.
Palmer wasn’t done yet. In the 63rd minute, he confidently converted a penalty to secure his fourth goal of the match. Substitute Alfie Gilchrist added insult to injury for Everton by scoring Chelsea’s sixth goal in the 90th minute from a tight angle.
This victory extends Chelsea’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight matches and puts them within three points of seventh-placed Manchester United, who currently hold the last European spot. For Everton, it was a disappointing performance compounded by their recent two-point deduction for breaching financial rules. They remain in 16th place, just two points above the relegation zone.
Cole Palmer’s Remarkable Season
Cole Palmer has been in sensational form this season, and his performance against Everton further solidified his status as one of the Premier League’s rising stars. With 20 goals to his name, he is now level with Erling Haaland at the top of the golden boot race. It’s worth noting that before joining Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer, Palmer had never scored a league goal.
The 21-year-old’s impact on the team cannot be overstated. He has scored the most league goals in a season for Chelsea since Diego Costa’s 20-goal campaign in 2016-17. Palmer’s hat-trick against Everton was particularly remarkable, as it was the fastest ‘perfect’ hat-trick in the Premier League since Gracenote started recording that data in 2008-09. He scored with his left foot, his head, and his right foot to complete the feat.
In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, Palmer also won a penalty for Chelsea after being fouled by Abdoulaye Doucoure. Despite arguments with his teammates Jackson and Noni Madueke over who would take the penalty, Palmer stepped up and calmly dispatched it. His overall performance was simply sensational, and he could have added to his goal tally if not for a couple of missed opportunities.
Looking ahead, Palmer will be eager to continue his scoring streak in Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final against his former club, Manchester City.
Everton’s Defensive Woes
While Palmer’s brilliance stole the headlines, Everton’s defensive weaknesses were exposed throughout the match. Chelsea scored with their first attack, capitalizing on poor defending from the Toffees. Although Everton had a chance of their own before conceding, with Beto failing to convert a cross from Seamus Coleman, their defensive frailties were evident.
Beto did manage to find the back of the net with a header later in the first half, but it was disallowed for offside when Everton were already 3-0 down. The team’s defensive struggles were compounded by their recent two-point deduction, which was announced just hours before kick-off. Everton’s appeal against the deduction will be heard urgently, but this defeat leaves them in a precarious position, especially with tough fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal still to come.
Their next league match against Nottingham Forest will be crucial as they aim to secure their Premier League status for next season.
Player of the Match – Cole Palmer
Unsurprisingly, Cole Palmer was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance against Everton. With an average rating of 9.39, he was head and shoulders above his teammates. His four goals and all-around contribution to the team’s attacking play showcased his immense talent and potential.
Other standout performers for Chelsea included substitute Alfie Gilchrist, who scored his first goal for the club, and midfielders Conor Gallagher and Thiago Silva, who had average ratings of 7.92 and 7.69, respectively.
For Everton, André Gomes had the highest average rating of 3.20, reflecting the team’s disappointing overall performance.
In Conclusion
Chelsea’s 6-0 victory over Everton was a statement of intent as they continue their push for a European spot. Cole Palmer stole the show with his four-goal masterclass, further establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s brightest young talents. His remarkable season has seen him score 20 goals, putting him level with Erling Haaland in the golden boot race.
On the other hand, Everton’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed once again, compounding their recent two-point deduction for financial breaches. The team finds themselves in a precarious position as they face crucial fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal in their fight to avoid relegation.
Overall, it was a memorable performance from Palmer and a dominant display from Chelsea, leaving fans eager to see what the future holds for this talented young midfielder.