Chelsea produced an incredible afternoon’s performance in trouncing their opponents 6-0 at Stamford Bridge, in which a rising star Cole Palmer wrote his name into Premier League history as the first man to score four times in the first half of a top-flight match.
Palmer’s exceptional skill on view ensured that Chelsea treated their fans to a mouth-watering display of football ahead of the entire nation and cemented his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in England.
At 21, Palmer was not going to waste much time in making his mark on the ground as he scored his first goal when the game was only seven minutes old. The midfielder then went on to convert two more strikes in very quick succession completing a hat-trick within half an hour.
His fourth goal, a composed finish at just before the half-time whistle left the home crowd in a frenzy and sealed his place into Premier League history.
Three is the previous record for most goals scored in a first half, although several have done that in their playing careers. A man stands alone, however, because of Palmer’s feat that won huge accolades from fans, pundits, and his teammates. Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino dished out his praises on Palmer’s performance: “It is truly extraordinary and proves this lad can become a world-class player”.
“Cole was simply impossible to stop today,” said Pochettino in his post-match press conference. “His movement, composure, and his finishing were superb. He is young, but this is just the start of what he is going to do.”
Palmer’s devastating display came in a breakout season for the young midfielder who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2023. In truth, flashes of brilliance have often punctuated a campaign where Palmer has otherwise been capable of scoring and providing for his team with varying levels of consistency.
Fans across social media sites flooded the platforms to celebrate Palmer’s historic win that capped off his remarkable streak in leagues. Many predict the bright future of the international. For Chelsea, it is an opportune win in the Premier League campaign; moving the team closer to a top-four spot as the season progresses.
The four-goal haul against Nottingham Forest has not only set the benchmark for individual excellence but has also bolstered the hope of Chelsea that they have a future star in their midst. All eyes will now be on how far the young midfielder can take this as the season unfolds.
