Chelsea are really starting to build momentum. On Saturday, the Blues swatted aside bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 at Molineux. Cole Palmer netted three times during a 25-minute scoring spree during the first half, before Tolu Arokodare bagged a consolation for the hosts.
This means Liam Rosenior has won all four Premier League matches since arriving in West London, following on from wins over Brentford, Crystal Palace and West Ham. Next up, the Blues will welcome both Leeds and Burnley to Stamford Bridge, before returning to the Emirates on 1 March, where they'll be seeking revenge, following their EFL Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal.
Later in March, they'll also face Newcastle and Aston Villa, as well as returning to Champions League action in the round of 16. So, with big matches ahead, did Palmer send a message to his manager at Molineux?
Cole Palmer: Premier League record-breaker
On Saturday, Palmer became the first player in Premier League history to score three first-half hat-tricks. His previous quick-fire trebles had come against Everton in April 2024 and Brighton four months later, as well as one very late on during a dramatic 4-3 victory over Manchester United.
This took his tally to 51 goals for the Blues while, in Premier League history, only 15 players have more hat-tricks to their name.
Premier League players with 5+ hat-tricks
Players | Name of hat-tricks |
|---|---|
Sergio Agüero | 12 |
Alan Shearer | 11 |
Robbie Fowler | 9 |
Erling Braut Håland | 8 |
Thierry Henry | 8 |
Harry Kane | 8 |
Michael Owen | 8 |
Wayne Rooney | 7 |
Luis Suárez | 6 |
Dimitar Berbatov | 5 |
Andy Cole | 5 |
Ruud van Nistelrooy | 5 |
Robin van Persie | 5 |
Raheem Sterling | 5 |
Ian Wright | 5 |
Cole Palmer | 4 |
13 other players | 4 |
Palmer's tally of four is the most Premier League hat-tricks of any Chelsea player, albeit he is along way short of Jimmy Greaves' all-time club record of 13. So, what does this all mean going forward?
Well, since the appointment of Rosenior, Palmer has barely been more than a peripheral figure. During Tuesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Arsenal, the England international was deemed only fit enough to see 30 minutes of action, meaning he and Estêvão were thrown on at the hour mark. Despite their introduction, the Blues failed to find the aggregate equaliser they needed.
Also, having scored just five goals this season prior to the weekend, there were question marks as to whether or not Palmer could rediscover his best form following injury issues. Well, against an admittedly woeful Wolves side, he re-asserted his importance and emphasised his quality.
If Chelsea are going to finish in the top five, win the FA Cup and make a deep run in the Champions League, they will need Palmer to consistently show his best form and be regularly available to feature, not just for the final 30 minutes of matches.