Cole Palmer scored a first-half hat-trick and struck a penalty as Chelsea thrashed Everton 6-0 in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.
The victory moved Chelsea to within three points of the European qualifying spots at 9th position.
It was a sensational display from 21-year-old Palmer, who made it back-to-back trebles at his home ground in style, with a silky opener followed by a poacher’s second and a clinical lob with his weaker right foot after Jordan Pickford’s gift of a pass to him.
It was the fastest Premier League hat-trick by a Chelsea player and means he’s also scored in seven games in a row at Stamford Bridge – another Blues record.
Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson were squabbling over who would take the second-half spot-kick but Palmer marched in to take the ball and tuck away his 20th Premier League goal of the season.
Jackson had to settle for his well-taken swivel and shot at the end of the first half.
That clash between the Chelsea players was an ugly one on an otherwise ideal night for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, which was capped by homegrown starlet Alfie Gilchrist slamming in his first goal for the club in stoppage time.
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They now turn their focus to a potentially season-defining FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
It was an all-too-familiar story for Everton, though, who spurned a glorious chance before they were undone at the other end.
Beto’s early volley over the bar from three yards out was flagged offside but that would surely have been overturned by VAR had it gone in. The Everton striker later had a header chalked off for straying beyond the backline.
While Chelsea are looking up and have West Ham, Manchester United, and Newcastle within reach, Everton stay two places and two points above the drop zone.
This was the first time a Sean Dyche side had conceded six in the Premier League and a nervy finish to the campaign awaits, with their appeal against their second points deduction lodged.
Chelsea face Manchester City at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, April 20. Their next Premier League match is at London rivals Arsenal on Tuesday, April 23.
Everton host Premier League relegation rivals Nottingham Forest on Sunday, April 21, before Liverpool visit on Wednesday, April 24. Everton then face Brentford and Luton.
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