Cole Palmer’s story will go down in the annals of the Premier League. In the match between Chelsea and Brighton, the young Englishman scored four goals in the space of 20 minutes in a memorable first half. This feat allowed him to become the first player in Premier League history to achieve such a feat in a single half.
The game had started badly for Chelsea, with Georginio Rutter opening the scoring for Brighton following defensive errors from the Blues. However, Cole Palmer quickly took charge, first equalising with a precise strike after a pass from Nicolas Jackson and then calmly converting a penalty.
But the best was yet to come. Palmer scored a brilliant hat-trick, scoring a sumptuous free-kick that found its way into the top corner. Despite Carlos Baleba reducing Brighton’s deficit, the Englishman added a fourth goal to cap an exceptional first half.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was full of praise for Palmer, highlighting his ambition and hunger to score goals. He also mentioned the youngster’s precociousness, saying it doesn’t change his mentality and remains focused on his development.
After a spectacular first half, the second was quieter with no goals. Despite this, Chelsea got the job done against a Brighton side who suffered their first defeat under Fabian Hurzeler. Since their opening defeat to Manchester City, Chelsea have had a string of good results under Maresca, showing fine form.
Beyond the results, the Italian manager is focused on developing his team and establishing a playing identity. Cole Palmer’s performances are not just the result of chance, but the result of hard work and boundless ambition.
Ultimately, this meeting between Chelsea and Brighton will be remembered as the day Cole Palmer made Premier League history. His talent, determination and vision of the game make him an exceptional player, with a bright future in the world of football.