COLE PALMER was awkwardly asked about being a Manchester United supporter live on air just seconds after his stunning hat-trick against them.
The England star fired Chelsea to a thrilling 4-3 win at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
Conor Gallagher and a Palmer, 21, penalty fired Chelsea into a two-goal early lead.
However, things took a turn for the worse for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as they threw away their lead before the break with United getting level through Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes.
Garnacho grabbed his second to make it 3-2 on 69 minutes and that is how it remained until the dying stages as the Blues looked to have squandered it.
However, Noni Madueke was fouled by United’s Diogo Dalot in the area and that allowed Palmer to step up and level from the spot with his second penalty of the night in the 99th-minute.
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Then, just seconds later, Palmer received a short corner and drilled a deflected shot past Andre Onana to spark wild celebrations in West London with the Premier League’s latest ever matchwinner.
The forward arrived at Chelsea last summer for £42.5m from Manchester City in search of more regular action.
Many are calling him the “signing of the season” after he took his tally to 19 goals with his treble.
And he admitted that he was “buzzing” to get his first hat-trick against the club he grew up supporting in Manchester after awkwardly being put on the spot during a post-match interview with TNT Sports.
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He was asked firstly if he was a United supporter, to which he said: “Yeah, when I was growing up I was a United fan.”
Palmer was then asked whether it gave him an added incentive, to which he replied: “I just think to try and do the same thing to each time. But I’ve scored away and a few here today, so I’m buzzing.
“I just try and take each game as it comes and show the Chelsea fans and everyone what I came here to do and that is just play football.”
TNT Sports then shared the throwback picture of Palmer as a child wearing a red United shirt twinned with a celebration shot in the blue of Chelsea from last night.
The match had an incredible 47 shots in it, with Palmer saying: “Crazy game. When the eight minutes got added on, it gave us a lift.
“Madness. I didn’t know what to do. I was running round when I scored. To win like that, there is nothing better.”
With regards to another two penalties for his collection, he said: “A hat-trick is a hat-trick. It was my first one. I’m really happy about it.
“I’ve had a few penalties this season. If I get penalties, I’m going to try to score, I’m not going to try to miss.”
Palmer added: “When we scored he [Pochettino] said ‘two minutes, come on’. He’s always trying to drive us on. We went for it and thankfully we scored.
“It’s a big winner. It’s a massive momentum booster. It puts everyone in a good mood. Hopefully we can kick on.”
After watching his interview with Jules Breach, former England star Joe Cole could not hide his admiration for the youngsters.
He said: “What’s even more remarkable is, the way he was talking to Jules, he just scored a last minute goal – it was like he just got off the sofa, he’s got his cocoa in his hand, and he’s ready for bed.
“He’s the coolest man in the building. These fans love him. Cause there’s no experienced players around, you’re looking for someone who’s got something magical. You watch Jude Bellingham, he’s not 20 years old.
“You feel the same with Cole Palmer. From Manchester United’s perspective, in a crucial point of the game, how can you let the best player on the pitch have the time to take a touch in the box and strike it.
“Even he must be thinking, what’s going on here? How have I got this time? He’s been remarkable. I would say, signing of the season.
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“He’s taken this team by the scruff of the neck, and gone, ‘you’re my team. I’m the one that’s going to drag this team through’.
“Absolutely build a team around him. He has the personality for it. Nobody thought he would miss this. Cool as you like.”
PALMER’S MAGIC NIGHT
CHELSEA put in a Jekyll & Hyde performance against Manchester United as they blew a 2-0 lead before coming back to win.
The Blues ran their opponents ragged inside the opening 20 minutes and were soon two goals to the good.
Cole Palmer was at his skilfully best and scored again from the penalty spot, after Conor Gallagher had smashed in the opener.
Enzo Fernandez got forward well and even Marc Cucurella looked invigorated – the Spaniard winning the penalty for the second goal.
But in the 34th minute Chelsea shot themselves in the foot yet again as Moises Caicedo gifted Alejandro Garnacho possession to score.
Prior to that the visitors were not in the game but the goal appeared to inspire Erik ten Hag’s side, who were level moments later through Bruno Fernandes’ back post header.
The score was level at the break and the game could have swung in either direction.
As it was, a rare moment of magic from Antony as his cross with the outside of his boot was met by Garnacho, who nodded the ball past Djordje Petrovic to put United in front.
But there would be a final twist as Palmer struck twice in stoppage time to seal his hat-trick and a dramatic 4-3 victory.
Click here to see how SunSport’s Andy Dillon rated the Chelsea display in an exhilarating match.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
