On Monday, Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer contributed to the 6-0 demolition of Everton. Palmer scored three of his team’s hat tricks in the first thirty minutes as his squad maintained its pursuit of a European position despite the visitors’ precarious position just above the relegation zone.
Twenty-one-year-old Palmer solidified his England credentials with a trifecta of left-foot, header, and right-foot goals. Palmer added a penalty strike amidst Chelsea’s second-half onslaught.
Nicolas Jackson and substitute Alfie Gilchrist both failed to hit the target as Chelsea maintained their ninth-place standing with 47 points and games in hand over the teams in front of them.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino remarked, “When we signed Palmer, he was an exceptional talent.” “He is adapting himself exceptionally well and is performing exceptionally well.””Royal was the impact from day one on the team.”
However, the evening was a disheartening one for Sean Dyche’s guests, as Everton were demoted to sixteenth place with 27 points, two positions and two points above the relegation zone, despite their appeal of the Premier League’s second points deduction imposed so far this season.
Dyche describes it as “a dreadful evening, far removed from our intended destination.” “The hard yards, simple tackling, basic principles – all out the window and it was a massive reminder of where we are.”
Ten minutes into the game, Beto missed from point-blank range despite an initial superb opportunity for Everton; the game subsequently proceeded to deteriorate.
Following thirteen minutes of action, Palmer instigated action by nutmegging Jarrad Branthwaite, engaging in a one-two with Jackson, and subsequently executing a shot from the outer edge of the box that eluded the diving of Jordan Pickford.
Five minutes later, Pickford was able to direct Jackson’s shot directly to Palmer, who merely caught it in the second minute, thanks to more intricate passing in addition to some tentative Everton defense.
Palmer, who had also received his third from Pickford, encountered an entirely different circumstance when the midfielder, with a weaker right foot, intercepted a failed clearance from 30 meters out and launched an exquisite pass over the retreating goalkeeper after 29 minutes.
Jackson extended the advantage to 4-0 just before intermission by diverting a cross from Marc Cucurella and subsequently delivering a low shot inside the post following a dexterous pirouette.
Palmer capped the sequence with his fourth penalty kick, but only after captain Conor Gallagher intervened to separate Noni Madueke and Jackson from the ball following Jackson’s haul-down in the area and their subsequent struggle for it.
In the end, after 64 minutes, Gallagher conceded the ball to Palmer, the recurring taker, who converted it with a flourish.
Nevertheless, Pochettino, infuriated by the penalty-taking incident that had preceded it, condemned the situation and issued a global apology for the “negative image” it contributed to. “I assure you that I have made it clear that I will not accept this again,” he stated.
Palmer, who surpassed Erling Haaland of Manchester City to the top of the Premier League scoring standings with 20, amassed his fourth to bring his total to 23. And with 20 goals, he became the first Chelsea player to do so since Eden Hazard in 2018-19.
Gilchrist, a 20-year-old substitute, scored the sixth and final goal in the concluding minute for the west London club shortly after entering the field. It was his first goal for the club. This occurred subsequent to Pickford’s repeated parry, which was ineffective in obstructing Ben Chilwell’s shot, which ultimately struck the juvenile substitute.
Chelsea’s recent consistent, albeit unreliable, form has positioned the club in contention for minor European competitions. As a result, their supporters were elated with Monday’s performance. Although the 2021 Champions League champions may not be their objective, their ascent from mid-table position two months ago represents some progress.
Everton, on the contrary, remain in an extremely precarious position to avoid relegation for the first time since 1951. They are poised to face fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest in a monumental contest on Sunday, having suffered a substantial confidence and goal difference setback.
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