Chelsea’s Cole Palmer makes Premier League history with four first-half goals

In a stunning display of skill and determination, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer made history during the team’s 4-2 victory over Brighton on Saturday. He became the first player ever to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League match, showcasing a performance that will be remembered for years to come.

Palmer’s remarkable outing began in the 21st minute when he equalized for Chelsea after a brilliant link-up play with teammate Nicolas Jackson. Just minutes later, he converted a penalty following a foul on Jadon Sancho, demonstrating his composure under pressure. In a matter of ten minutes, Palmer completed his hat-trick with a stunning 25-yard free-kick that soared into the top-right corner of the net.

His fourth goal came just before halftime, as he finished with precision from a Sancho pass, capping off a sensational first half. While Palmer was on fire, he also had other opportunities, hitting the post once and seeing another goal disallowed for offside. In the second half, he nearly added a fifth but sent his one-on-one shot wide of the target, expressing frustration at the missed chance.

“I didn’t know about (the record), the lads just told me then,” Palmer remarked in an interview with Sky Sports after the match. “I’m really happy about it. When I missed the chance in the second half, I was fuming because it was early in the second half, so I should have scored that.”

Brighton initially took the lead at Stamford Bridge, with Georginio Rutter heading the ball into the net after Chelsea failed to clear a dangerous situation. The early goal put pressure on Chelsea, who were looking to maintain momentum after a string of positive results. However, Palmer quickly turned the tide, displaying why he is considered one of the most promising talents in English football.

Before this match, Brighton had remained unbeaten in the Premier League, but Palmer’s brilliance extinguished any hopes they had of extending that streak. His success at the penalty spot brought him closer to another record, as he now has 10 penalties scored without a miss—just one short of Yaya Touré’s record.

The first half was characterized by frantic scoring, as Chelsea’s defensive lapses allowed Brighton to pull within one goal after Carlos Barlebo capitalized on a loose pass from goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. Yet, Palmer’s initial goals proved too much for Brighton to overcome.

In the second half, Chelsea could have further widened their lead. Jackson had a shot cleared off the line by Adam Webster, while Palmer’s missed opportunity prevented him from matching the record for the most goals in a single Premier League game.

With this victory, Chelsea has now won four consecutive matches across all competitions, climbing to fourth place in the league table, just one point behind Manchester City and Arsenal, and two points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.

Following the match, Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca praised Palmer’s extraordinary performance. “He’s a special player, a simple guy, a humble guy,” Maresca said. “He doesn’t need to tell people how good he is because you can see it clearly. For sure, when you score four goals, it is a great performance. But I said to Cole, he scored four; he could have scored two or three more, so it’s good that he continues to be hungry and ambitious.”

Palmer’s historical achievement not only showcases his immense talent but also serves as a reminder of the exciting potential within the Chelsea squad. With the team’s recent success and Palmer’s standout performances, fans have every reason to be optimistic about the season ahead. As he continues to develop his game, the football world will be keenly watching to see how this young star’s career unfolds.