Cole Palmer scored a stunning hat-trick, including two stoppage-time goals, as Chelsea beat Manchester United 4-3 in a Premier League classic at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer fired in a dramatic 111th-minute winner to seal three points for the Blues, just 82 seconds after scoring an equaliser for Chelsea from the penalty spot.
It was an unbelievable conclusion to an unforgettable game, as the 21-year-old’s stoppage-time strikes turned defeat into victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
The two teams played out an absorbing contest in the capital that saw seven goals and end-to-end action throughout, with Chelsea racing out of the blocks to take the lead through Conor Gallagher, who swept in from Malo Gusto’s cut-back within four minutes.
Palmer doubled the lead with his first penalty of the evening after Antony had brought down Marc Cucurella inside the box, as the England international sent Andre Onana the wrong way from the spot.
Manchester United roared back, however, and were gifted a route back into the game. Moises Caicedo’s slack pass was intercepted and Alejandro Garnacho ran through to reduce the deficit. The Red Devils were then level before half-time as Bruno Fernandes met Diogo Dalot’s cross at the back post to nod in an equaliser.
Erik ten Hag’s team looked to have turned the game around when Garnacho nodded in a second, completing a counter-attack as he headed home Antony’s audacious outside-of-the-boot cross.
United, however, imploded. Diogo Dalot bundled over Noni Madueke inside the box to hand Chelsea a second penalty and Palmer made no mistake to slot home an equaliser. Seconds later, he was celebrating again, as Manchester United switched off at a set-piece and the forward drilled in a deflected winner after being granted space to shoot.
Pochettino and his coaching staff celebrated widely on the sidelines after a win that kept alive the club’s hopes of European football.
“I don’t know [how Chelsea came back]!,” Palmer said to TNT Sports at full-time.
“2-0 up and like I said last week we had silly mistakes. When the eight minutes got added on it gave us a lift – madness.
“We need to try to win as many games as possible. To win like that, there is nothing better.
“We thought when we scored the second goal the fans lifted us and I saw the gaffer say there were two minutes left and thankfully I scored.”
On scoring his penalties, he added: “You know I have taken many penalties, I am not going to miss a penalty, touch wood. To score on the last minute is crazy.”
Just where would this Chelsea team be without Palmer?
