Cole Palmer made Premier League history as Chelsea stormed to a 6-2 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge, propelling the Blues to third place in the standings. The 22-year-old English forward became the first player in Premier League history to score four first-half goals, showcasing a clinical display of finishing that left the Brighton defense in disarray.
In a pulsating first half, Palmer also struck the post and had a goal disallowed for offside. His four goals came as Chelsea exploited Brighton’s high defensive line, with Palmer’s partnership with Nicolas Jackson and Jadon Sancho proving devastating. Brighton, while managing to score twice, couldn’t keep pace with Chelsea’s rapid attacks. Despite their best efforts, defensive errors, particularly from ex-Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, contributed to their downfall as Palmer ran riot.
Peerless Palmer Continues to Shine for Chelsea
Cole Palmer’s rise to prominence at Chelsea has been nothing short of remarkable. After a summer of significant investment that saw high-profile players like Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher leave, Palmer has firmly established himself as a key figure in Enzo Maresca’s attacking setup. His incredible performance against Brighton, which included a stunning 25-yard free kick and a perfect penalty, has made him one of the standout players of the season.
The former Manchester City player has now notched three Premier League hat-tricks for Chelsea, becoming the first Blues player to score 20 league goals in a calendar year since Diego Costa in 2016. Palmer’s creativity was also on display, as he repeatedly set up his teammates for scoring opportunities. With his impeccable form and The Bluse’s fluid attacking style, Palmer is proving that the long-term contracts given to him and Jackson might be a masterstroke by the club’s management.
Brighton’s Risky High Line Proves Costly
Brighton, under the management of young coach Fabian Hurzeler, entered the match with an impressive defensive record, having conceded just four goals prior to their clash with Chelsea. However, their commitment to a high defensive line was ruthlessly exploited by the pace and precision of Chelsea’s forward line. Palmer, Jackson, and Sancho repeatedly found space behind Brighton’s defense, with the tactic proving to be a high-risk, high-reward strategy that backfired spectacularly.
Despite their defensive struggles, Brighton showed glimpses of their quality, particularly in the opening stages. Danny Welbeck and Carlos Baleba capitalized on mistakes from Robert Sanchez to score, and the team maintained 63% possession in the first half. However, their inability to adjust defensively left them vulnerable to Chelsea’s counter-attacks, and they failed to mount a significant challenge in the second half. As Hurzeler faces pressure to adapt, the question remains whether he will persist with the high line when Brighton take on Tottenham next week.
Goalkeeping Woes for Chelsea Despite Victory
While Chelsea’s attacking prowess took center stage, Robert Sanchez’s performance in goal raised concerns despite the team’s comfortable victory. The former Brighton goalkeeper was directly involved in both of his former club’s goals, making crucial errors that allowed Brighton a temporary foothold in the match. His poor distribution and decision-making were highlighted when he rushed out for a ball that Georginio Rutter headed past him to give Brighton their first goal.
Although Sanchez has generally been reliable for Chelsea this season, his display against Brighton exposed weaknesses that could become problematic against tougher opposition. With The Bluse just one point off the top of the table, Enzo Maresca might need to consider his options between the posts if the Blues are to maintain their title challenge.
