Chelsea’s Cole Palmer became the first player in Premier League history to score four first-half goals in a game as the Blues defeated Brighton and Hove Albion 4-2 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The thrilling matchday six encounter saw summer signing Georginio Rutter give Brighton the lead in the 7th minute with a brilliant header via an assist by Cameroonian midfielder Carlos Baleba after a error in the Chelsea defence.
However, the Blues were undeterred as Palmer, who had earlier hit the post and had a goal disallowed for offside, levelled proceedings as he converted a Nicolas Jackson pass in the 21st minute.
4 – Cole Palmer is the first player in Premier League history to score four goals before half-time in a single match. Cold. #CHEBHA pic.twitter.com/7dNiM1Ndd7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 28, 2024
The England forward got his brace seven minutes later from the penalty spot, converting his 10th consecutive successful penalty for Chelsea, after Jadon Sancho was brought down in the box by the Seagulls’ captain, Lewis Dunk.
After sending Bart Verbruggen the wrong way and slotting home his spot-kick, Palmer turned it up a notch with an absolute belter of a free kick to complete his hat-trick in the 31st minute. The 22-year-old beat Verbruggen from about 30 yards out with a sublime kick that nestled in the top corner.
Brighton drew one back in the 34th minute as Baleba capitalised on a poor pass from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but it did not matter much as Palmer scored his fourth of the game, beating Verbruggen at his near post after he was teed up by Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho, who registered an assist in his third straight game for the Blues.
FOUR goals for @ChelseaFC‘s Cole Palmer. What more can we say? 🔵#CHEBHA pic.twitter.com/RgztfKeCBp
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 28, 2024
The second half was less eventful, however, Palmer wasted an opportunity to score his fifth goal of the game as he fired his shot wide when put through on goal.
The four goals took Palmer’s season tally to six goals in six Premier League games as bagged his third Premier League hat-trick for the Blues, and also became just the second Chelsea player in history to score four goals in two different matches in the English top-flight after club legend Frank Lampard.
His third @PremierLeague match ball. ⚽️⚽️⚽️#CFC | #CHEBHA pic.twitter.com/JNu7HrZmIs
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 28, 2024
The victory took Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea to the fourth spot in the standings with 13 points, a point behind second and third placed Manchester City and Arsenal, who have 14 points each, as well as just two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Brighton, managed by 31-year-old manager Fabian Hurzeler, tasted defeat for the first time this season, and they sit eighth with nine points.
