Palmer hits four as Chelsea hammer Everton

Cole Palmer delivered an outstanding performance, guiding Chelsea to a commanding 6-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.

The first half was dominated by Chelsea's relentless attacking quality, while the Toffees found themselves unfortunate to trail 4-0 at the break. 

Despite Everton's early promising chance when Seamus Coleman's cross found Beto, whose effort sailed over the bar, the hosts quickly asserted their dominance.

In the 13th minute, Cole Palmer showcased his skill and finesse by nutmegging Jarrad Branthwaite and played a slick one-two with Nico Jackson before curling the ball past Jordan Pickford to break the deadlock. 

Palmer swiftly doubled Chelsea's lead just five minutes later, seizing on a rebound from Jackson's initial effort to slot the ball into an empty net.

The England international completed his hat-trick on the half hour mark, capitalising on a costly mistake from Pickford, allowing Palmer to calmly chip the ball over the England goalkeeper and into the net. 

Just moments before half-time, Marc Cucurella surged down the left wing and delivered a pinpoint cross to Jackson, who clinically dispatched the ball past Pickford to extend Chelsea's lead to 4-0.

Although the tempo of the game slightly slowed in the second half, the Blues remained relentless in their pursuit of goals. 

In the 60th minute, Palmer was brought down in the penalty area by Abdoulaye Doucouré, resulting in a penalty for Chelsea. 

After some squabbling between Palmer, Jackson, and Noni Madueke, Palmer confidently stepped up to convert the spot-kick, securing his fourth goal of the game and Chelsea's fifth.

There was still time for a sixth as academy graduate Alfie Gilchrist capitalised on a rebound from Cucurella's shot in the 90th minute.

The Blues remain in ninth position, three points behind sixth-placed Newcastle United. Meanwhile, Sean Dyche's men find themselves just two points above the relegation zone.

Chelsea's focus now shifts to the FA Cup semi-final against holders Manchester City, while Everton will play an important game on Sunday against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.

🥇Most goals in 2024 (#UEFA's 'Top 5' leagues):

12⚽️: 🥶COLE PALMER🥶
11⚽️: Harry Kane, Lois Openda, Jonathan David
10⚽️: Ollie Watkins#CFC #CHEEVE pic.twitter.com/rHGRejpsGr

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) April 15, 2024