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| Cole Palmer and Mykhaylo Mudryk of Chelsea look frustrated with referee Darren England during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Burnley FC at Stamford Bridge on March 30, 2024 in London, England. |
Cole Palmer scored his first senior hat-trick as Chelsea came from behind to beat Manchester United in a thrilling seven-goal clash on Thursday night.
Erik ten Hag's side were 3-2 up and just seconds away from picking up all three points at Stamford Bridge when Diogo Dalot brought down Noni Madueke in the box in the seventh minute of added time. Palmer scored from the penalty spot to seemingly rescue a point – but a stunning finale awaited.
The former Manchester City player lashed a long-range effort past Andre Onana with virtually the final kick, with the aid of a slight deflection off United’s Scott McTominay. The goal was Palmer's third on the night after an earlier first-half penalty and sent everyone associated with Chelsea inside the stadium into raptures.
Palmer now has 16 goals in the Premier League this season, as well as eight assists. In all competitions for the Blues the 21-year-old has scored 21 goals and assisted 12 in 39 appearances.
The former Man City man, who arrived in the summer for a fee believed to be around £42.5million, has been nothing short of sensational in his first season in west London. Speaking after the match on TNT Sports, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole waxed lyrical about Palmer and his performance against Man United.
"They [Man United] switched off," Ferdinand said. "I think concentration plays a huge part in the end of these games. There is a lot of pressure riding on these games, but in the midst of the madness and the chaos, you have to have people in there who are on top of their game and concentrating.
"The corner comes in for the winner, Cole Palmer comes out to the corner of the box and no one even notices him. He’s the danger man. This is the man that is more dangerous than anyone else on that pitch. He’s able to drift out there unopposed.
"Yes, it takes a deflection, but he shouldn’t be able to get there and turn if you are concentrating and professional in the manner and you understand the magnitude of the moment. You can’t afford to have those moments at this level."
The former defender added: "I’ve had every emotion today during this 98 minutes. At times I have been on the floor like I am now, but at times I was high as a kite.
"For Manchester United to be 2-0 down and to come back and take the lead and look in such command at 3-2, but Maudeke changed the game when he came on. He injected that pace and won the penalty for Cole Palmer. They have bought a lot of players, but he (Palmer) is the jewel in the crown now."
Cole also praised Palmer after his hat-trick. The former Chelsea star said: "He’s lifted this team on so many occasions. Because there are no experienced players around, you are looking for someone who's got something magical. It’s like Jude Bellingham, when we watch him play we are like, that isn’t a 20-year-old.
"You feel the same with Cole Palmer. He has just been remarkable this season and I would say, signing of the season. He’s just taken this team by the scruff of the neck and said, you are my team and I am going to be the one who drags you through.
"How many people in the stadium thought when he stepped up for that penalty that he might miss this? Nobody. He was as cool as you like - brilliant."
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