COLE PALMER has been caught out by a Chelsea prankster once again as his match ball was adorned by an X-rated message.
Palmer, 21, netted FOUR goals in a 6-0 win over Everton on Monday evening including a 16-minute perfect hat-trick in the first half and a penalty in the second.
It was the attacking midfielders second hat-trick at Stamford Bridge in as many games, following on from the dramatic 4-3 win over Manchester United earlier this month.
Afterwards Palmer posed for a photo in the dressing room with the match ball which was signed by a number of his team-mates.
However, eagle-eyed fans picked up a message on the ball that said: “S*** player.”
And it appears lightning has struck twice with the same mystery Chelsea star seemingly writing a follow-up message on his latest match ball.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
This time Palmer posed for a pic with outgoing physio Steven Hughes.
One of the messages on the ball in picture said: “I told you you are a s*** player.”
The prank left one fan in hysterics on social media, with them writing: “That was actually quite brilliant. They’ll have something to talk about for years.”
A second joked it was: “Probably Jackson.”
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER
While a third said: “Why do I think its Malo Gusto😂.”
Despite the prankster’s identity remaining secret, Palmer likely won’t mind the jibe considering his glittering performances of late.
His quartet of goals against the Toffees saw the former Manchester City star move on 20 league goals for the season, level with Erling Haaland at the top of the Premier League’s golden boot race.
However, Palmer’s dazzling display had a cloud cast over it by team-mates Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson arguing about taking the penalty.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino blasted his players for behaving like “kids” and warned this was their final warning for such behavioural issues.
Asked about the incident after the game Palmer said: “Other players wanted to take it which is understandable [since] the game’s 4-0.
“But I’m the penalty taker and I wanted to take it and I took it. I think everyone just wants to take responsibility and stuff like that.
“Maybe it was a bit over the top, the argument and stuff, but everyone just wants to win and help.
“It’s nothing major. We were laughing and joking about it but the gaffer has told us now.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
