Cole Palmer has made Premier League history by becoming the first player to score four goals in a single first half. The 22-year-old Chelsea forward achieved this remarkable feat during Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Brighton, where he was assisted three times by former Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho.
Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £40 million in 2023, had an impressive debut season, netting 22 goals in 33 league matches. His outstanding performance secured him a contract extension until 2033 and a spot in England’s European Championship squad.
This season, Palmer has continued his strong form, having already tallied six goals in six league matches. His performance against Brighton yielded four goals from just five shots, all on target, despite only having 21 touches throughout the match.
Throughout his career, Palmer has greatly improved statistically since moving to Chelsea. While he managed only six goals and two assists across 41 matches with Manchester City, he now boasts an impressive tally of 31 goals and 19 assists in 53 appearances for Chelsea.
Since the beginning of the last season, he has contributed to 42 goals (goals and assists combined), tying him with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland for the most in this period. Remarkably, Palmer has scored three hat tricks in the Premier League, a feat accomplished in just 39 appearances, placing him alongside club legends Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Didier Drogba, and Frank Lampard for most hat tricks in Chelsea history.
Palmer’s four goals against Brighton came in a swift 20-minute burst, making it the fifth-fastest occurrence of any player reaching four goals in Premier League history. While he is the fourth player ever to score four goals in a single half, he is the first to do so in the first half, setting him apart from legends like Jermain Defoe and Sergio Agüero, who achieved this in the second half.
Additionally, Palmer has been perfect from the penalty spot, scoring all 10 of his attempts, and is closing in on the Premier League record of 15 penalties scored, currently held by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.