Cole Palmer made history yesterday by becoming the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half of a match, as Chelsea triumphed 4-2 over Brighton at Stamford Bridge. The 22-year-old’s clinical finishing powered Chelsea to an emphatic victory, with all of his goals coming in a remarkable first-half display.
The match began with Brighton taking an early lead when Georginio broke the deadlock in the 7th minute. However, Chelsea responded swiftly. In the 21st minute, Nicolas Jackson found himself through on goal but opted to pass selflessly to Palmer, who slotted the ball into an open net to equalize.
Palmer struck again in the 28th minute, this time converting from the penalty spot after Jadon Sancho was fouled in the box. His hat-trick came just three minutes later, courtesy of a stunning free-kick that left Brighton�s goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Despite Carlos Baleba pulling one back for Brighton in the 34th minute following a misjudged pass from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez, Palmer wasn’t done yet. He netted his fourth goal in the 41st minute, assisted by Sancho, who became the third Chelsea player�after Eden Hazard (2012) and Cesc F�bregas (2014)�to provide an assist in each of his first three league appearances for the club.
Palmer�s hat-trick, completed in just 9 minutes and 45 seconds, now ties him with Chelsea legends Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Didier Drogba, and Frank Lampard for the most Premier League hat-tricks by a Chelsea player.
This result moves Chelsea up to third place in the Premier League table, just one point behind Manchester City and Arsenal. Palmer�s performance will be remembered as one of the most remarkable individual displays in recent league history.
