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Cole Palmer has become the first Premier League player to score four times before half-time as he powered Chelsea to a 4-2 victory in an entertaining clash with Brighton.
The visitors had gone in front at Stamford Bridge before Palmer struck for a first time, equalising 15 minutes after Georginio Rutter’s opener.
A second from the penalty spot soon followed from the England international, before he completed his hat-trick in just nine minutes and 48 seconds of match time with a sublime free kick.
Carlos Baleba hit back for Brighton but there was time left in the half for Palmer to add a fourth, converting a through ball from Jadon Sancho to complete a remarkable feat.
While players have registered four times in the second half previously, Palmer’s achievement was unique in the Premier League era.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a sparkling season last year in his first campaign in London after his move from Manchester City, dragging the club back into European competition.
After 22 goals last season, he had registered twice in Enzo Maresca’s first five league games in charge.
The half could even have been more productive – Palmer had a potential fifth goal chalked off for offside and also struck in the woodwork in a chaotic 45 minutes.
Last season’s Premier League young player of the year finally looked human in the second half when he scuffed a one-on-one wide with his weaker right foot before his audacious half-volley clipped the bar minutes later.
After Enzo Maresca flexed Chelsea’s strength in depth with a series of substitutions, the Blues slowed down the match and made it three league wins on the spin.
But Maresca then lauded Palmer as the “best in the Premier League” after he became the first player in the competition’s history to score four goals in a first half.
“He scored four but he also could have scored two or three more,” Blues boss Maresca said. “It’s important he stays hungry, ambitious and I know him from many years ago with the under-23s at City and with the first team.
“What he was as a boy is exactly what he was three or four years ago. Goals, assists, best player of the Premier League – this doesn’t change the way he is. He’s a humble guy and for me it’s the most important thing.
“He’s a top player and today in football young players can change quick. Cole scores goals and never changes and this is the most important thing.
“He’s special player, he’s a simple and humble guy. He doesn’t need to tell people how good he is because you can see it clearly.”
Palmer was coached by Maresca in Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad before he was promoted to Pep Guardiola’s senior group.
The Italian coach believes the England international can be deployed in multiple positions.
“We try to use Cole in that position (as a 10) because it’s his best position,” he added. “He can play as a false nine, as a nine, a winger, in the pocket, he’s so good, Cole inside the pitch is where he’s best.
“I have three kids, my boy is 11 and I would like my boy (to be the person) that if many things happen, nothing with him changes. With young players and boys they can change easily, the best thing he (Palmer) has is he enjoys football and it’s fantastic for him.”
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said that Palmer simply punished their individual errors in west London.
“So far yes,” Hurzeler said when asked if Palmer is the best player his Brighton side have faced this season.
“He scored four goals and punished every mistake. He punished the first and second with the penalty, you can’t stop him in one-against-one situations and we have to defend him as a team.
“Sometimes we lost our structure and it’s difficult to defend players like this.”
Includes reporting from PA
