Cole Palmer makes Premier League history with four-goal first half

Today at 02:22 PM

Colder than ice

Chelsea feasted on Brighton's high line today at Stamford Bridge, scoring four and leaving probably just as many on the table. Nicolas Jackson alone could've had a second-half hat-trick for example.

Speaking of hat-tricks, after Christopher Nkunku feasted midweek, it was Cole Palmer's turn today, scoring not one, not two, not three, but four goals — all in the first half, all in the space of twenty minutes.

To underline just how impressive this feat was, Palmer is the first player in the Premier League's 30-year history to score four goals before half-time.

Best player in the league? Enzo Maresca won't tell you otherwise.

"I know Cole from many years ago. I had him for one entire season at City and then the first-team. The best thing he has is the way he is today as a boy, he was exactly that way two or three years ago. So, goals and assists, the best player in the Premier League; this does not change the way he is. He is a simple guy, a humble guy - and for me, this is the most important thing."

"[...] Loads of good things have happened in his life as a professional to give him the chance to change. But he didn't change, so it probably means in the way he is, he is always going to be that way. [He] enjoys, he loves football, he's always in the same way and it is something fantastic for him."

-Enzo Maresca; source: Football.London

Football is life! And when football is this fun, so is life.

"I should have had five or six!

"When I missed the first chance I was upset but with the way they played and their high line I felt we'd get more chances. The manager set up a good game plan, we knew how to attack them with first-time passes in behind."

"I try and play every game the best I can."

-Cole Palmer; source: BBC MotD

Too cold.

Palmer's hat-trick is the second this season and his third already for Chelsea (and his third this calendar year). His last two have both been four-goal efforts. It's the 160th hat-trick in club history, and the third already this season, scored by 79 different players (Palmer was the 77th).

Here are the last 18 Chelsea hat-tricks, adding on to the 142 between 1905 and 2014 that are listed in Chelsea: The Complete Record. We sure do love a September hat-trick!

Jan 2016 — Oscar: 3 vs. MK Dons (a) 5-1 — FA Cup
Sep 2017 — Batshuayi: 3 vs. Nottingham Forest (h) 5-1 — League Cup
Sep 2017 — Morata: 3 vs. Stoke City (a) 4-0 — Premier League
Sep 2018 — Hazard: 3 vs. Cardiff City (h) 4-1 — Premier League
Oct 2018 — Loftus-Cheek: 3 vs. BATE (h) 3-1 — Europa League
Mar 2019 — Giroud: 3 vs. Dynamo Kiev (a) 5-0 — Europa League
Sep 2019 — Abraham: 3 vs. Wolves (a) 5-2 — Premier League
Oct 2019 — Pulisic: 3 vs. Burnley (a) 4-2 — Premier League
Sep 2020 — Havertz: 3 vs. Barnsley (h) 6-0 — League Cup
Dec 2020 — Giroud: 4 vs. Sevilla (a) 4-0 — Champions League
Jan 2021 — Abraham: 3 vs. Luton Town (h) 3-1 — FA Cup
Oct 2021 — Mount: 3 vs. Norwich City (h) 7-0 — Premier League
Nov 2023 — Jackson: 3 vs. Tottenham (a) 4-1 — Premier League
Apr 2024 — Palmer: 3 vs. Manchester United (h) 4-3 — Premier League
Apr 2024 — Palmer: 4 vs. Everton (h) 6-0 — Premier League
Aug 2024 — Madueke: 3 vs. Wolves (a) 6-2 — Premier League
Sep 2024 — Nkunku: 3 vs. Barrow (h) 5-0 — League Cup
Sept 2024 — Palmer: 4 vs. Brighton (h) 4-2 — Premier League