Premier League

COLE PALMER and Noni Madueke fired Chelsea to a narrow 3-2 win over Luton on Saturday.Summer signing Palmer broke the deadlock in the 12th minute with a fantastic strike into the bottom-right corner.
Cole Palmer scored twice as Chelsea clinched a 3-2 win over LutonCredit: Reuters
The ex-Man City star was Player of the MatchCredit: Getty
Madueke then doubled the Blues’ advantage with a fantastic goal before Palmer thought he’d sealed all three points.
However, Luton pushed for a late comeback with goals from Ross Barkey and Elijah Adebayo piling the pressure on.
It was a thrilling finale, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side managed to see the game out.
Here’s how SunSport’s Isabelle Barker rated the performance…
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DJORDJE PETROVIC – 8
Produced a string of heroic saves, including Cech-esque effort in the dying moments to keep the scoreline at 3-2. With this performance he staked his claim to be Chelsea’s No 1 man between the sticks. Was let down by others on the pitch. 
MALO GUSTO – 7
Chelsea fans are yet to see a better replacement of Reece James than Gusto.
Was aggressive on the ball throughout and was solid with his positioning. 
AXEL DISASI – 6
Poor awareness in the box towards the end. When the Blues were under the cosh he failed to deal with crosses and Chelsea’s crossbar ended up being a better defender.
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THIAGO SILVA – 8
Always so reliable and the proof was in the pudding.
He made at least twice as many clearances (6) as any other player on the pitch in the first half at Kenilworth Road. 
LEVI COLWILL – 6
Provided a delicious link up with Palmer and Madueke for the second goal but towards the end looked leggy on the wing.
In fairness he was playing out of his preferred centre-back position. 
CONOR GALLAGHER – 6
A solid performance from the midfielder who played a role in a flurry of early warning shots from the visitors.
But gave away reckless free-kicks in dangerous areas when Chelsea were under pressure late on and at times he failed to track his runner.
MOISES CAICEDO – 6
Cost more money than Luton’s entire squad so should have shown up more. Started off looking like a beast but Barkley had him on the ropes towards the end. 
NONI MADUEKE – 8
Scored a peach of a goal with his right foot while the Luton players thought he was going to cut in on his favoured left foot.
The sign of a good winger is being able to dribble at the defenders on the inside or the outside.
His twinkle toes caused the Hatters problems throughout. 
Noni Madueke put on another excellent performance
NICOLAS JACKSON – 7
Played a role in two of the visitors’ goals, first with a rebounded shot for the opener which made its way back to Palmer.
He did brilliantly to thread the ball through for Palmer to slot home the third.
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ARMANDO BROJA – 6
Wasn’t up to scratch but that doesn’t necessarily mean he never will be for the Blues.
Did a job for them with a lot of hold up play, running down the wings and opened up spaces. One goal for him and the story changes. 
COLE PALMER – 10
Continues to be so important for Chelsea and making such an impact since joining from Manchester City.
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Provided an excellent finish to give the Blues the lead, assisted the second and slotted home the third.
He has both scored and assisted in four different Prem games this season – more than any other player in the competition. 
Cole Palmer was the star man once again
Chelsea dominated in the first half but dropped off after the break
Substitutes
Nkunku 5
Gilchrist 6
Fernandez 5 More

THIAGO SILVA shooed a camera operator as he berated his Chelsea team-mates.The Brazilian was furious after his side conceded two late goals against Luton to set up a nervy finish.

Thiago Silva responded angrily at the end of Chelsea’s 3-2 win over LutonCredit: TNT Sports
The Brazilian was disgusted with how his side nearly threw the game awayCredit: TNT Sports
Silva, 39, told his team-mates off after their winCredit: TNT Sports
The Blues had led 3-0 at Kenilworth Road thanks to Noni Madueke’s strike sandwiched by Cole Palmer’s double.
Late goals by Ross Barkley and Elijah Adebayo made Chelsea sweat, however, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side having to hold on.
The West Londoners managed to secure a 3-2 win, but that did not placate Silva.
Following the final whistle the 39-year-old had stern words for some of his team-mates.
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When a camera operator got close to him, he angrily dismissed them.
Silva had stood with his hands on his hips, shaking his head in disgust.
Fans online enjoyed Silva’s passionate response.
One wrote: “Will die for any badge he plays for. Wish he’d come to the prem sooner.
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While a second gushed: “He sets himself and team high standards so doesn’t surprise me he wasn’t happy at Full Time. The Ultimate professional.”
A third posted: “I’m tired of people questioning this man! He’s our BEST defender and he’s 39 years old.”
And another added: “The reaction of all Chelsea fans. More questions marks around Poch despite our recent victories.”
The manager himself was not concerned over Silva’s outburst, saying: “Thiago is like this. Always moaning and never happy – but that’s good. He’s 39 and still playing.
“I think sometimes we are there on the pitch, but sometimes it was the small details.”
Earlier in the match, Palmer performed what is becoming his trademark celebration.
Playing up to his “Cold Palmer” nickname, the 21-year-old mimed shivering – to the delight of his adoring fans. More

CHELSEA held off a gutsy late fightback from Luton to claim their first away win since early November.Two goals from Cole Palmer and one from Noni Madueke were enough to end a run of four straight defeats on the road – but only just.
Cole Palmer’s ice cool celebration has seen him dubbed ‘Cold Palmer’Credit: AP
Noni Madueke scored his second in as many gamesCredit: Getty
Palmer scored two brilliant goals – dancing around Luton defendersCredit: Getty
Luton hit back with a powerful header from former Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley in the 80th minute.
And again through Elijah Adebayo with three minutes of normal time left to make Chelsea sweat.
They also hit the woodwork twice and had a goal disallowed for offside as their ramshackle stadium was shaken to its foundations by the late comeback.
Chelsea had not lost four games in a row away from Stamford Bridge and they looked ripe for a fifth at a ground where some of England’s best clubs have been given a going over lately.
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Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City were all put through the wringer and mega-ric Newcastle lost here just last week.
A clinical finish from Palmer in the 13th minute gave Chelsea the lead and he set up winger Noni Madueke for the second eight minutes before the break to settle any nerves in the visitors’ camp.
Madueke scored his second goal in as many matches after coming off the bench to score a last minute winner at home to Crystal Palace in midweek.
And when Palmer latched onto a through ball from Nicolas Jackson to round the keeper and make it 3-0 with 20 minutes left it should have been all over.
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Chelsea edged Luton in a tough battle at Kenilworth Road
Chelsea were on the ropes for the last 20 minutes
Some Town fans had even turned for home when Barkley made it 3-1. The ex-Blues star had been itching to make a point all game but to no avail.
His goal sparked new life into his team and Chelsea did well not to crack more than once again as they were put under the cosh in the closing stages.
Chelsea survived and claimed their first win away from home since their 4-1 thumping of nine-man Tottenham on November 6.
Chelsea boss Pochettino claimed Kenilworth Road ‘smells’ different to any other stadium.
He eventually left with nothing but the sweet scent of victory in his nostrils as his team signed off with their last game of 2023 with a hard fought three points.
After the final whistle, Thiago Silva shooed a camera operator and berated his Chelsea team-mates.
Luton made it a nervous ending but left their comeback too lateCredit: Alamy
Thiago Silva clashed with a camera operator at full-timeCredit: TNT Sports
Cole Palmer ran the show for Chelsea More

JAMES PERCH played in the Premier League and in Europe while plying his trade for Newcastle just over a decade ago.Now aged 38, he has gone part-time in order to work for Arsenal as a scout on the side.
James Perch played for Newcastle in the Premier LeagueCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Perch continued to play in the EFL for Mansfield up to the end of last season and was even offered a new deal to stay full-time with the Stags.
The experienced defender snubbed the offer, however, in order to go part time with seventh-tier Ilkeston.
“It’s not full-time, so it’s flexible for me to do my other stuff on the side and it just worked out well,” Perch told the Mirror.
On juggling playing for Ilkeston with his work for the Gunners, he added: “I scout for Arsenal now, so on the days where I’m not training, some of the nights I go to games and scout players.
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“I try to do the best for Arsenal and get the club the best young players and the best players for the first team.
“I am really enjoying it and it was an opportunity which came my way and I took it.
“That’s why it works perfect playing part-time because I can scout for Arsenal on the side and play for Ilkeston on a Saturday.”
Perch has been tasked with identifying the very best talent in the Under-14s age group.
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On a Saturday he then laces up his boots in the Northern Premier League.
During his pomp Perch joined Newcastle from Nottingham Forest for £1million.
He helped the Toon to a fifth place finish in 2012 under Alan Pardew.
And the following season he helped his side to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Perch later played for Wigan and Queens Park Rangers, as well as Scunthorpe and Mansfield.
In addition to helping to accommodate his work for Arsenal, Perch was convinced to join Ilkeston by their manager and former youth team pal Ian Deakin.
On what he hopes to do after eventually hanging up his boots for good, he concluded: “I want to stay in football and go as high as I can.
“I would love to be a director of football or a technical director, so hopefully that’s one I will aim for.”
Perch, 38, played for Mansfield last seasonCredit: Getty More

COLE PALMER delighted Chelsea fans with his latest celebration.The Blues star played up to his “Cold Palmer” nickname by rubbing his arms as if feeling a little chilly.
Cole Palmer fires Chelsea in frontCredit: AFP
The 21-year-old plays up to his nicknameCredit: AFP
Palmer celebrates his strike against LutonCredit: Getty
Palmer, 21, profited on an awful mistake by Luton’s Issa Kabore to fire Chelsea into the lead.
Kabore passed the ball straight to Palmer from inside his own box on 12 minutes, watching on in horror as the Blues ace immediately made him pay.
After Palmer mimed feeling cold, hordes of gleeful Chelsea fans took to social media.
One wrote: “Cold Palmer, my oh my, I have missed you.”
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While a second gushed: “Cold Palmer is the best English player in the Premier League.”
A third swooned: “MORE LIKE COLD PALMER.”
And a fourth posted: “Cold Palmer and a Cold celebration.”
Another added: “ICE COLD PALMER STRIKES AGAIN.”
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Noni Madueke doubled Chelsea’s lead before half-time, before Palmer struck again.
The youngster executed a sensational ball roll to beat Luton stopper Thomas Kaminsky before rolling the ball into the empty net… and performing his “Cold” celebration again.
Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £42.5million summer deal.
He has quickly endeared himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful, despite his team’s struggles under Mauricio Pochettino.
The creative star has already scored six goals and assisted a further five in 18 appearances for the Blues.
Palmer has also attracted the attention of Gareth Southgate since his move, earning his first two England caps earlier this season. More