Cole Palmer sets Premier League record with four-goal first half in Chelsea win over Brighton | OneFootball

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.

Cole Palmer scored a brilliant free kick among four first-half goals (Getty Images)

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.