Young Cole Palmer, 21, shone tonight at Stamford Bridge. The Englishman scored four goals — the famous ‘poker’ — in the victory of Chelsea 6-0 over the Evertonthis Monday (15), for the 33rd round of the Premier League. He was the first player since Lampard in 2010 to achieve the feat for the club.
The first three goals came in the first half, in the 29th minute — a record for the Blues in the national competition –, and in perfect fashion: one with a header, one with the right and one with the left.
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Palmer even scored another goal in the second half. Forward Jackson and defender Gilchrist completed the rout.
Palmer resolves in the first half
Everton started the game better, creating some chances and having more physical imposition. After nine minutes, the visiting team could have opened the scoring. After stealing the ball in the attacking field, Coleman was launched from the right side, inside the area, and crossed to Beto, who was facing the goal. The Portuguese striker was unable to finish well and sent his shin over the crossbar.
Chelsea, on the other side, didn’t miss the chance. At 12, Palmer made a beautiful move, giving a pen — the ball that passes between the marker’s legs — and playing the ball to score with Jackson. When he received it back, he finished from the left into the corner and made it 1-0.
The number 20 had a chance to expand just two minutes later: he received a cross inside the area, but passed the ball without being able to hit it squarely.
Afterwards, at 17, he did not forgive. Caicedo made a great move on the left and passed it to Mudryk, who crossed for Jackson to finish. Pickford made a good save, but left the rebound for Palmer, with a header, to increase.
The goalkeeper made Palmer’s life even easier in the 28th minute. After trying to play in the defensive midfield, the wrong pass fell at the feet of the Chelsea player, who finished from the right, from cover, to score the third. The fastest hat-trick in the Blues’ Premier League history.
Palmer celebrates Chelsea’s goal against Everton Getty Images
The fourth goal was scored by Jackson. Cucurella was launched from the left and crossed. The number 15 dominated with his left, with his back to the goal, and made a beautiful turn to finish with his right.
Second half closes the rout
Palmer had a chance again eight minutes into the second half, but his shot from the edge of the area stopped at Pickford.
Shortly after, in the 15th minute, Madueke and Palmer were brought down inside the box almost at the same time and the referee awarded a penalty. There was a little confusion between them and Johnson as to who would charge. Captain Gallagher intervened and left the ball to Palmer, who did not disappoint. The young man left the goalkeeper on one side and the ball on the other to score his fourth goal, Chelsea’s fifth of the game.
The night’s top scorer left the field in the 34th minute, applauded by the entire stadium.
At 45, Gilchrist took advantage of Pickford’s rebound to score the Blues’ sixth goal and complete the rout.
Palmer catches up with Haaland
Palmer started the round with 16 Premier League goals. With four goals, the young man equaled Haaland, with 20, and now shares the competition’s top scorer with the Norwegian from Manchester City.
Premier League standings
With the result, Chelsea reached 47 points and remains in ninth place, still far from the classification zones for European competitions — it is worth noting that the Blues have one to two games less than the teams above. Everton remains at 27, just two ahead of Luton Town, the first team in the relegation zone.
Chelsea’s next game
Manchester City (N): 04/20, at 1:15 pm (Brasília time) – FA Cup (semifinal), com transmission via ESPN no Star+
Everton’s next game
Nottingham Forest (C) – 04/21, at 9:30 am (Brasília time) – Premier League