Cole Palmer makes English Premier League history with 12th consecutive penalty
3 min readCole Palmer made history in the English Premier League on Sunday, setting a new record by scoring 12 consecutive penalties after converting two spot kicks in Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 comeback victory against Tottenham.
The 22-year-old forward remained cool under pressure, securing his place in the record books by breaking the previous record for consecutive penalties, which was held by Manchester City’s Yaya Touré, who netted 11 in a row. Palmer’s achievement came with a calm and composed finish, including a cheeky ‘Panenka’ penalty in the 84th minute, a technique made famous by Czech football legend Antonin Panenka. Palmer chipped the ball down the middle of the goal, much to the delight of the Chelsea supporters.
“When I put the ball down and stepped back, I knew exactly what I was going to do,” Palmer said after the game. “It was late in the match and the situation was a bit crazy, so I just went for it.”
Palmer, who made a high-profile move from Manchester City to Chelsea in 2023, has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable players. In just 48 league appearances for Chelsea, he has already amassed an impressive 50 goal contributions—33 goals and 17 assists—a remarkable tally for a player of his age. His impressive form has been crucial in Chelsea’s rise to second place in the Premier League standings.
The match against Tottenham was an intense one for Chelsea. The game began poorly for the Blues, who found themselves trailing 2-0 within the first 11 minutes after a series of defensive mistakes allowed Tottenham to capitalize. However, Chelsea showed resilience and quickly pulled one goal back in the 17th minute through a superb strike by Jadon Sancho.
Palmer then leveled the score just after the hour mark, converting a penalty after Yves Bissouma fouled Moisés Caicedo inside the box. The momentum shifted in Chelsea’s favor, and they went ahead in the 73rd minute, with Enzo Fernández putting the ball in the back of the net. Palmer, ever the playmaker, was instrumental in the goal, driving through several defenders before the ball found its way to Fernández for the finish.
Palmer wasn’t done, though, adding another penalty just minutes later to make it 4-2. His calm and precise second spot kick was followed by a late consolation goal from Tottenham’s Son Heung-min in the dying seconds of the match, but Chelsea held on for the victory.
The win propelled Chelsea to second place in the league, just four points behind leaders Liverpool. However, Chelsea has played one more match than their rivals, leaving room for a slight adjustment in the standings.
Despite the win, Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, downplayed any discussions about a potential title challenge, urging his players to remain focused on the immediate task at hand. “After the game, my message to the players was to stay focused day by day, focusing on the next match,” Maresca said. “If you start thinking too far ahead, it’s completely wrong. Enjoy a day off with your family, then come back and be ready for the next game. We need to improve every day.”
Palmer’s record-breaking achievement was just one part of a significant performance that has shown his growing influence in Chelsea’s lineup. His ability to score under pressure and create opportunities for teammates has made him one of the Premier League’s most valuable young players.
Chelsea’s current position in the table reflects their growing strength, and Palmer’s performances are at the heart of their success. With his consistent scoring record and sharp eye for goal, Palmer is proving to be an essential player for the team as they look to continue their upward trajectory in the Premier League this season. As Chelsea builds under Maresca’s leadership, Palmer’s role could become even more pivotal in their future plans.
For now, though, the focus remains on maintaining consistency and continuing to improve, match by match, as they aim for a potential title push. The road ahead will be challenging, but with Palmer in form, Chelsea fans have every reason to remain hopeful.