NICOLAS JACKSON tried to take a penalty away from Cole Palmer because he wants to reach 15 Premier League goals this season, according to reports.
The Blues striker, 22, was involved in an embarrassing incident involving Noni Madueke and Palmer during Chelsea’s 6-0 win over Everton on Monday night.
Madueke refused to give the ball to regular penalty taker Palmer, before Jackson attempted to steal it for himself.
Captain Conor Gallagher eventually pushed Madueke and Jackson away as the pair became embroiled in an embarrassing row of their own.
Palmer, who had already scored a perfect hat-trick in the first half, dispatched the penalty for his 20th league goal of the season.
But The Telegraph have now claimed Jackson’s antics came about because he has his own personal objectives for the season.
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The Senegalese forward, who scored his 10th league goal of the season in the first half against Everton, wants to bag five more before the end of the campaign.
He also believes he can reach 20 in all competitions – which means adding seven more, with seven Premier League games remaining and an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Saturday.
It goes some way to explaining his fury over the spot kick – with his emotions continuing after the game as he argued with midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Jackson’s tally of 10 league goals means he has already equalled Chelsea icon Didier Drogba’s first season at Stamford Bridge.
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But the ex-Villarreal man, who has received mixed responses to his performances in West London, was given a stark warning by manager Mauricio Pochettino following the penalty spat on Monday.
Blues boss Pochettino, 52, told Sky Sports: “It’s a shame because we can’t behave in this way.
“This is the last time I accept this behaviour. The next time they’re all out.
“It’s not a joke, it’s impossible to have this type of behaviour. It’s so clear, I made it clear to them and to the fans that Cole Palmer is the penalty.
“If Cole Palmer wants to give it to another, but not in this way. It’s very sad and I don’t want it to happen again.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
