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Five times Palmer made the difference for Chelsea
- Palmer scored four in one half against Brighton and Hove Albion
- He dazzled in the UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis
- He will lead Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final against PSG
In just two seasons, Cole Palmer has become the linchpin of Chelsea FC's attack. On Sunday 13 July at MetLife Stadium, Palmer will once again be called upon to deliver as the Blues look to overcome a formidable Paris Saint-Germain side to win the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
Ahead of the final, FIFA reflects on five of Palmer's most stellar performances for the West London club.
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Chelsea 4-4 Manchester City
23 December 2023
Palmer got the last laugh in a back-and-forth affair at Stamford Bridge in his first appearance against his former club.
The City academy graduate scored the last of eight goals in a match that saw Chelsea get their first point against City in seven attempts.
Pep Guardiola's side looked set to return north with three points in their pocket only for Ruben Dias to foul Armando Broja in the fourth minute of added time. Without hesitation, up stepped Palmer, just 21 at the time, to bag the equalising goal against his former club. Peter Drury's call of the moment on commentary was "City's boy, is Chelsea's man!
Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
30 December 2023
Just seven days later, Palmer was at it again, once again making the difference for Mauricio Pochettino's side. The Englishman opened the scoring for Chelsea lashing a low left-footed strike into the opposite corner after jumping on an errant pass from Luton defender Issa Kabore on the edge of the penalty area.
Later in the first half Palmer freed Madueke, who fired into the roof of the net. His first goal and assist were clinical, but his second was sublime. Palmer received a through ball from Nicolas Jackson as he hurtled into the Luton penalty area. With the deftest of touches, he rounded goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski before gliding past two defenders and tapping in from close range.
His efforts won him Premier League Player of the Month for December that season.
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Chelsea 4-3 Manchester United
4 April 2024
Palmer did not miss his chance to make his old rival Manchester United pay. The Englishman was Chelsea's best performer in what was an up and down season under Pochettino, and his hat-trick helped seal an improbable come from behind victory over the Red Devils that catapulted the Blues back into European qualification contention.
One goal to the good thanks to Conor Gallagher, Palmer doubled the Blues' lead from the spot in the 20th minute. Chelsea's comfortable lead evaporated, and the Blues found themselves 2-3 down with a minute to play. Palmer once again fired home from 12 yards, before sealing the victory in the 101st minute thanks to a left-footed effort that deflected in off Scott McTominay. His third not only turned the game around - it was the latest winner in Premier League history.
Chelsea 4-2 Brighton and Hove Albion
28 September 2024
Four goals in one half: Palmer is the only Premier League player who has accomplished the feat. Georginio Rutter opened the scoring for Brighton in the seventh minute in what was poised to be a competitive match, but by the time Brighton found the net again, Chelsea's talisman already had a hat-trick.
After hitting the post, and having a goal ruled out for offside, Palmer opened his account by side-footing a pass from Nicolas Jackson in a gaping net. Moments later Chelsea's No20 fired home from the spot after Jadon Sancho was tugged down in the box. Palmer's third was sublime. The left footer bent a 30-yard free-kick over the wall and into the top-right corner of the net to send Stamford Bridge into ecstasy. He capped his first half performance with a well-struck missile to the near post after being fed in the penalty area by Sancho.
After four goals in the first 45 minutes, Palmer and Chelsea cruised to victory in the second.
Chelsea 4-1 Real Betis
28 May 2025
Betis held the upper hand early in the UEFA Conference League final. Isco unleashed Abde Ezzalzouli, who fired home in the ninth minute. Chelsea were under the cosh well into the second half until Palmer finally picked the lock in the Seville side's defence. In the 65th minute he crossed for Enzo Fernandez to head home, and five minutes later he fired in a low cross that Jackson tapped in. From there, the Blues ran away with the game, winning 4-1 in the end.
An honourable mention goes to Palmer's play in the Blues 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 21 January 2025. The Englishman didn't register a goal or an assist that night, but boss Enzo Maresca called it "one of Cole's best games."
The Italian was particularly impressed with Palmer's ability to get on the ball and swing the momentum in the Blues' favour when the match hung in the balance.
