Cole Palmer scored a hat-trick as Chelsea stunned Manchester United 4-3 in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.

Chelsea came into the match without a win against United in 12 Premier League meetings but were ahead in just the fourth minute through captain Conor Gallagher.

Palmer doubled the home side’s lead with his first penalty in the 19th minute after Anthony felled Marc Cucurella in a torrid opening for the visitors.

But United were handed a lifeline in the 34th minute when Moises Caicedo inexplicably gave the ball away to Alejandro Garnacho, who burst forward and coolly slotted home.

Five minutes later they were all square when Diogo Dalot’s cross found Bruno Fernandes, who headed home at the back post.

Play swung wildly from end to end in a thrilling second period but Garnacho headed home a pinpoint cross from the outside of Antony’s left boot to put United ahead in the 67th minute.

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United were still ahead at 99 minutes 17 seconds, the latest a side has ever led in a Premier League match they have gone on to lose.

Boyhood United fan Palmer however turned the game on its head, levelling from the penalty spot in the 100th minute and then netting the winner moments later in a frantic end to the game at Stamford Bridge.

The bitter defeat leaves sixth-placed United 11 points off fourth-placed Aston Villa with just eight games to play and facing a season outside Europe’s elite club competition.

But it lifts Mauricio Pochettino’s side to 10th spot in the table, keeping them in the hunt for a European place after an inconsistent season.

Pochettino, after the game, said his team had started well but the way they conceded “affected the team in an emotional way”.

The Argentine, in his first season at Stamford Bridge, praised 21-year-old Palmer, who has been the club’s standout player since he joined in September.

He said: “The impact is amazing. He is doing a fantastic job. It is difficult to talk more about him. Today he showed the mentality and the quality.

“I said ‘Cole, two minutes more and to believe’.”

United are back in action on Sunday, taking on fierce rivals Liverpool.

Chelsea also play on Sunday, visiting Sheffield United in the Premier League.

The Star