Cole Palmer makes Premier League history with 4-goal haul in first half for Chelsea
Chelsea's Cole Palmer (centre) celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game with team-mates during a British Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Brighton at Stamford Bridge, London, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Credit: AP/Bradley Collyer
LONDON — Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer has become the first player in the 32-year history of the Premier League to score four goals in the first half of a match.
The England international's flurry of goals came in a 20-minute span against Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as Chelsea built a 4-2 lead by halftime.
Palmer scored in the 21st, 28th, 31st and 41st minutes.
No player has ever scored so many goals before halftime in a single match, according to Opta, which provides statistics to the Premier League.
He also had a four-goal haul for Chelsea last season in a 6-0 win over Everton in April, also at home.
Palmer joins Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in scoring at least three goals in a game three times for Chelsea in the league.
The game against Brighton was only Palmer's 39th league appearance for Chelsea after joining from Manchester City in the offseason of 2023.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his side's 3rd goal during a British Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Brighton at Stamford Bridge, London, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Credit: AP/Kin Cheung
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