Palmer hits four as Chelsea destroy Everton

Cole Palmer inspired Chelsea to a thumping 6-0 victory, as his four-goal haul dealt a huge blow to the survival hopes of a beleaguered Everton at Stamford Bridge.

It did not take long for the attacking midfielder to find his feet, netted twice in the opening 18 minutes – first a beautiful curling effort from outside the box, then a close-range rebound.

The England international completed his hat-trick before the half-hour mark with another glorious finish after a huge error by Jordan Pickford, while Nicolas Jackson made it 4-0 before the break.

The tempo dropped a touch after the break, unsurprisingly so, but Chelsea still got a fifth when Palmer converted from the spot after a foul on Noni Madueke by James Tarkowski.

There was drama before that penalty was scored though, with Jackson and Madueke fighting over who would take it, only for captain Conor Gallagher to take command of the situation and give the ball to Palmer.

Substitute Alfie Gilchrist then completed the rout in the 90th minute, leaving Sean Dyche and Everton licking their wounds after a costly defeat.

When Everton received their first points deduction this season, they responded defiantly; going on a winning run that pulled them clear of danger.

On this occasion, their first outing since having two points shaved off their total for a Profit and Sustainability Rule breach, the reaction could not have been more different.

The Toffees slumped behind early on, and things just got worse from there, including Jarrad Branthwaite limping off injured.

Heads were well and truly bowed come full-time. With only a two-point cushion to the bottom three and their goal difference taking a battering, will they be able to pick themselves up?

Cole Palmer (Chelsea). Really, who else could it be? Another sensational performance from the youngster, who further outlines why he should be heading to Euro 2024 as part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

His movement was superb, effortlessly dropping into space and leaving the Everton defenders chasing shadows.

But his finishing was simply exquisite; a perfect hat-trick, netting one goal with his left foot and another with his right, either side of a header, then a penalty for good measure.

CHELSEA: Petrovic 6; Gusto 7, Silva 7, Chalobah 6, Cucurella 7; Madueke 8, Caicedo 7, Gallagher 8, Mudryk 7; Palmer 10, Jackson 8. Subs: Chukwuemeka 6, Casadei n/a, Chilwell n/a, Washington n/a, Gilchrist n/a

EVERTON: Pickford 4; Coleman 5, Tarkowski 5, Branthwaite 5, Mykolenko 4; Young 5, Garner 4, Onana 4, McNeil 5; Doucoure 5, Beto 4. Subs: Harrison 6, Gomes 6, Patterson 5, Keane 5, Godfrey n/a

13’ GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 EVERTON (Cole Palmer). It’s you know who, who is at it again! Cole Palmer brilliantly finds the far corner with a perfectly guided curling shot from inside the D. Glorious finish.

18’ GOAL! CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON (Cole Palmer). There he is again! The former Manchester City man doubles Chelsea’s lead from close range, although only after Jordan Pickford had made a decent save from Nicolas Jackson, only to push the ball into Palmer’s path.

29’ GOAL! CHELSEA 3-0 EVERTON (Cole Palmer). Oh Jordan Pickford, what are you doing?! A terrible, terrible clearance by the goalkeeper, who is miles outside of his area, but gifts the ball to Palmer, and he duly sends a glorious lob into the back of the empty net from 40 yards. That’s his second hat-trick in as many home games!

44’ GOAL! CHELSEA 4-0 EVERTON (Nicolas Jackson). That is a delightful finish! Gallagher plays the ball down the line to Cucurella, who swings an excellent cross into Jackson. The ball is behind him, but he takes it down and pivots in one move, before finding the bottom corner. This is a mauling.

64’ GOAL! CHELSEA 5-0 EVERTON (Cole Palmer). Madueke is brought down in the area by Tarkowski, and Paul Tierney points straight to the spot! Aftequite the tussle over who will take it, Palmer steps up and sends Pickford the wrong way.

90’ GOAL! CHELSEA 6-0 EVERTON (Alfie Gilchrist). What a moment for the youngster! Off the bench, and on the scoresheet! The Chelsea fan born and bred nets his first goal for the club, thumping home the rebound after Chilwell’s shot is saved, before jumping into the crowd in an impassioned celebration

• Cole Palmer becomes the first Chelsea player to score 20+ goals in a season since Eden Hazard in 2018/19
• Everton have now gone nine Premier League away games without a win, losing six of those fixtures