Cole Palmer showcased his brilliance once again during a milestone match, but his efforts were overshadowed as Chelsea suffered a shocking defeat, creating unwanted Premier League history.
The 22-year-old celebrated his 50th Premier League start with a stunning goal, only to see Chelsea concede a 2-1 loss to Fulham their first win at Stamford Bridge since 1979.
Palmer’s Early Brilliance
Chelsea seemed set to edge closer to league leaders Liverpool after Palmer’s early heroics. The young playmaker opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a sublime effort.
Weaving past Andreas Pereira and Sasa Lukic, Palmer unleashed a precise shot into Bernd Leno’s near post, marking his 12th Premier League goal this season.
This strike also highlighted Palmer’s remarkable contribution to top-flight football. With 34 goals and 18 assists from his first 50 Premier League starts, he has been directly involved in 52 goals—a feat surpassed only by Erling Haaland (64) and Andy Cole (57) in their opening 50 games.
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Unlike those strikers, Palmer has predominantly operated as a No.10, occasionally playing on the right wing.
A Stellar Year for Palmer
Palmer has been a standout performer in 2024, contributing to 39 Premier League goals—more than Haaland managed in 2023 (38).
Since leaving Manchester City, where he made just three league starts under Pep Guardiola, Palmer has flourished at Chelsea, becoming a central figure in their attack.
Late Drama at Stamford Bridge
Despite Palmer’s brilliance, Chelsea crumbled late in the game. Fulham equalized in the 82nd minute when Harry Wilson headed in off the post from close range.
Then, in the dying moments of added time, Rodrigo Muniz capitalized on a counter-attack, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to seal Fulham’s dramatic victory.
A Season of Struggles
While Palmer’s individual achievements continue to shine, Chelsea’s collective struggles persist.
The loss left fans frustrated as the team squandered a golden opportunity to close the gap on the league leaders.
For Chelsea, it’s back to the drawing board. For Palmer, however, his stock continues to rise as one of the Premier League’s most exciting talents.
