CHELSEA have thrashed relegation-threatened Everton 6-0 to keep their hopes of European football next season alive.
Cole Palmer’s stunner from the edge of the box opened the scoring after 13 minutes as the Blues’ early dominance prevailed.
The inform midfielder doubled his tally minutes later with a header from point-blank range to make it 2-0.
On 29 minutes, Palmer punished a huge mistake from Jordan Pickford to secure a perfect first-half hat-trick and score three goals in back-to-back games at Stamford Bridge.
Just before the half-time whistle, Nicolas Jackson got on the scoresheet to make it 4-0 and claim his 10th Premier League goal of the season.
On the hour mark, Cole Palmer scored his FOURTH of the evening from the penalty spot, matching Erling Haaland’s top flight tally of 20 goals this campaign.
Chelsea ended the night with local lad Alfie Gilchrist getting on the scoresheet to secure a stunning 6-0 win for the Blues.
- Match result: Chelsea 6-0 Everton
- Chelsea team: Petrovic, Gusto, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Cucurella, Caicedo, Gallagher, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson, Mudryk
- Everton team: Pickford, Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Onana, Garner, Doucoure, McNeil, Young, Beto
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And that’s a wrap!
Cole Palmer is the star once again for Chelsea as he goes home with yet another match ball.
The England international is now neck and neck with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
Chelsea are still well in the mix for a spot in Europe next season after tonight’s 6-0 triumph.
The Blues maintained their unbeaten run since their Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool in February.
A trip to Wembley for a meeting with Man City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup is next for Poch’s side, while Everton host relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in a huge match at the bottom of the table on Sunday.
Credit: GETTY Poch speaks
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino spoke to BBC Sport after his side’s 6-0 win over Everton, he said: “We were very clinical in front of goal. I’m happy. A clean sheet.”
Poch also gave his thoughts on the penalty row between his players: “It’s a shame. It’s a process for a young team who need to learn a lot.
“I was talking about this to the player after the game. It’s the last time I want to see something like this. I want to apologise to the fans.
“We need to make clear next time that happens. They need to learn and be professional. We need to be focused on the collective. They knew it was Cole. Cole is the taker. It’s a clear example that it’s a process we still need to learn.”
Palmer on the penalty row
Cole Palmer spoke to Sky Sports about the row between players before the Chelsea penalty: “Other players wanted to take it, but I am the penalty taker and I wanted to take it.
“I think we are showing everyone is wanting to take responsibility it may be a bit over the top, but everyone wants to win – we are laughing and joking about it.
“This season we have been a bit inconsistent. We have had some poor performances and we have got some good wins. We will take each game as it comes and see where we finish.”
Dyche speaks
The Everton manager spoke to BBC Sport after his side’s 6-0 loss to Chelsea this evening: “Really poor. Miles off the intent and desire to win a match. You have to give strength, put a tackle in. I thought we were mildly better second half but the first half miles off.
“Collective down day. We had one at Villa when we’re collectively looking for a spark.
“You can’t give away soft goals like that. They’re dancing around us.
“Not just the back five, young lads in midfield. They’ll learn if you don’t get tackles in and read the play you’ll get hurt.
“I’m not going to hide behind that [Beto miss] although it does change the game. Too many errors. Too many players way off the mark.
“Six big games. They’ve had another knock. We’ve already agreed that’s gone, we have to get on with it. It [points deduction] is out of our control.
“We created 10 chances away from home. They had 14.
“We can’t perform like that at a place like this. The key moments when they got chances, finding the back of the net, we haven’t done that all season.”
Palmer reacts
“It all happened so fast. To score a hat-trick, the team needed that after last Sunday (against Sheffield United).
“The first goal was my favourite, the right footed one was a bit of a swinger.”
Credit: REUTERS Match stats
What a moment!
20-year-old local lad Alfie Gilchrist came off the bench to score his first Chelsea goal this evening!
Just look what it means to him!
Credit: PA Palmer matches Haaland’s tally
After his whopping FOUR goals this evening, Cole Palmer is now level with Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Haaland in the race for this season’s Golden Boot.
FULL TIME: Chelsea 6 Everton 0
90: Chelsea 6 Everton 0
SEVEN minutes of stoppage time are added on.
“We want ten!” is the chant from the Chelsea fans.
90: Chelsea 6 Everton 0
Ben Chilwell jogs down the wing almost unopposed and fires a powerful shot which is parried away by Pickford.
20-year-old right-back Gilchrist shows great composure to take his time and fire into the bottom corner.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL
Alfie Gilchrist scores his first ever goal for Chelsea!
81: Chelsea 5 Everton 0
Pochettino jumps up and down like mad on the touchline as Conor Gallagher fails to play a pass quickly enough for his liking.
The Chelsea captain puts his hand up to the gaffer to apologise.
78: Chelsea 5 Everton 0
A standing ovation for Mudryk as he is replaced by Ben Chilwell.
An even bigger standing ovation for four-goal Cole Palmer as he is replaced by Cesare Casadei after one of the all-time great Premier League performances.
Looking to Nic it
Absolutely baffling scenes as Jackson angrily tries to take a penalty off his Chelsea team-mates.
73: Chelsea 5 Everton 0
Having calmed down after not being allowed to take the penalty, Jackson drives through the Everton defence and plays the ball to Mudryk.
But the Ukrainian fires tamely at Pickford.
70: Chelsea 5 Everton 0
Carney Chukwuemeka replaces Madueke, who can consider himself very unlucky not to have bagged a goal.
Saw his brilliant chip blocked on the line by Palmer then won the penalty with a fantastic turn.
Looked like he was going to take it before Jackson lost it at him and Palmer had to step in as the unity candidate.
66: Chelsea 5 Everton 0
It’s just not Beto’s night, or Everton’s.
The Portuguese ace goes through down the right, then fires wide of the near post.
65: Chelsea 5 Everton 0
Yellow card for Michael Keane for a cynical foul on Jackson.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLL
FOUR for Cole Palmer!
“Palmer again, ole, ole!” is the chant that rings around Stamford Bridge.
Indeed.
61: Chelsea 4 Everton 0
Gallagher and Palmer are having to push Jacksons away.
Palmer will now take it.
The Senegal star is fuming. If he’s not careful he’ll get a booking and two game ban for confronting his own team-mates!
60: Chelsea 4 Everton 0
Good work from Mudryk to play the ball to Madueke, who beats hs man.
Madueke has deserved a goal and looks like he is going to take it, despite Nicolas Jackson strongly objecting.
PENALTY TO CHELSEA!
58: Chelsea 4 Everton 0
Almost an Everton own goal.
Pickford is forced to take action to prevent Nicolas Jackson scoring from Malo Gusto’s cross, but palms the ball against his own player and just wide.
55: Chelsea 4 Everton 0
A sight that may be of slight concern to Gareth Southgate.
Man Utd target Jarrad Branthwaite limps off injured and is replaced for Everton by Michael Keane.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
