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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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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
Copy linkCopiedPoch 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.”
Copy linkCopiedPalmer 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.”
Copy linkCopiedDyche 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.”
Copy linkCopiedPalmer 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
Copy linkCopiedMatch stats

Copy linkCopiedWhat 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
Copy linkCopiedPalmer 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.

Copy linkCopiedFULL TIME: Chelsea 6 Everton 0
Copy linkCopied90: Chelsea 6 Everton 0
SEVEN minutes of stoppage time are added on.
“We want ten!” is the chant from the Chelsea fans.
Copy linkCopied90: 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.
Copy linkCopiedGOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL
Alfie Gilchrist scores his first ever goal for Chelsea!
Copy linkCopied81: 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.
Copy linkCopied78: 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.
Copy linkCopiedLooking to Nic it
Absolutely baffling scenes as Jackson angrily tries to take a penalty off his Chelsea team-mates.

Copy linkCopied73: 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.
Copy linkCopied70: 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.
Copy linkCopied66: 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.
Copy linkCopied65: Chelsea 5 Everton 0
Yellow card for Michael Keane for a cynical foul on Jackson.
Copy linkCopiedGOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLL
FOUR for Cole Palmer!
“Palmer again, ole, ole!” is the chant that rings around Stamford Bridge.
Indeed.
Copy linkCopied61: 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!
Copy linkCopied60: 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.
Copy linkCopiedPENALTY TO CHELSEA!
Copy linkCopied58: 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.
Copy linkCopied55: 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.
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ARSENAL will be looking to reclaim the Premier League top spot with a win over Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa.Mikel Arteta’s side have picked up 31 points from a possible 33 and several stars are beginning to hit superb form – Leandro Trossard in particular.However it was Villa who came out on top in their previous meeting this season with John McGinn scoring the only goal of the game just seven minutes in.
Kick-off time: 4:30pm BST
Live stream: NOW TV
TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Trossard
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans, Zaniolo; Diaby, Rogers, Watkins
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
37′ After being tended to by medical staff Zaniolo is back on his feet and walks off the pitch.
The Gunners faithful aren’t too pleased with him however, with boos and chants of “cheat” serenading him on the sideline.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
36′ Play is stopped with Zaniolo down injured.
Coote then issues a yellow card to White after he scraped his studs down a Villa players knee.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
34′ The Emirates is in full voice as they try to lift the home team.
The away end respond in kind. And it seems to work as they get down the other end before seeing a shot attempt from Diaby blocked.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
32′ Another penalty shout is brushed off by Coote.
This time it’s Trossard who goes down in the area under pressure, but the contact is deemed legal and no foul is given.
Trossard is instantly back on his feet as well.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
29′ That Havertz run AGAIN.
This time it is Carlos who deals with the danger and stumbles over in the process.
He concedes a corner, but Arsenal can’t find a way past Villa’s set piece defending at the moment.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
29′ Villa work the ball down their left flank but are unable to work anything from it as the ball goes behind from a misplaced cross at the byline.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
26′ Penalty claims from fans are waved away as the ball hits Torres’ arm following a close range attempt at a cross.
Coote awards a corner but Villa are able to clear their lines as the ball goes into the front post.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
24′ Some lovely Arsenal link up on the right side sees Jesus slipped in by White.
Jesus then cuts back and has the chance to shoot but his shot at goal is blocked by a swarm of Villa defenders.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
23′ That Havertz run is proving to be a nuisance for Villa.
He almost gets in once again but Martinez is able to sweep up behind his defence.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20′ Villa go down the other end and are bearing down on goal with Watkins.
But just as he is about to pull the trigger, Trossard of all people pokes the ball away from him.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
19′ Odegaard wins the ball back as Arsenal zip a couple of passes together.
Rice then plays it back to Odegaard who finds Saka after a curved run from the wing.
But Saka’s attempt to get it into the middle is once again snuffed out.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
18′ Closest yet.
Arsenal work the ball down the right before Saka whips a cross to the back post where both Havertz and Jesus are waiting.
The ball falls to the Brazilian and he directs a header down towards goal.
However, his effort hits the side netting. Though it looked like it was in to a couple of fans.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
16′ Havertz goes through on goal again after a lovely pass over the top.
But once again Martinez is able to shot his shot.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
15′ Villa finally have the ball in settled possession.
The ball is worked down the left but Saka is there to clear away the danger.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
13′ Saka is down around the halfway line and being smashed into.
He’s back on his feet after an Arsenal attack broke down with another overhit cross.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
11′ A brilliant pass from Trossard after cutting in from the left wing sees Havertz go through on goal.
His shot then forces a smart save from Martinez before Villa clear their lines.
It’s one way traffic at the moment.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
8′ Dangerous play again down the Arsenal right.
Odegaard picks up the ball in midfield and surges forward before playing a pass into the channel for Saka.
But the pass goes slightly wide and allows Torres to cover the winger.
However, on the one-on-one Saka is able to dig out a cross but overhits it beyond the far post.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
6′ Saka gets in behind the defence after a incisive pass but his effort to cut the ball back is cut out by the body of Torres.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
5′ Saka is fouled by Digne on the halfway line.
That battle will be key to the outcome of the game.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
3′ Arsenal win a throw from Digne as he’s out under pressure form Saka.
The winger then gets the ball in the area and tries to cut it back but the ball is cutout.
The boo boys are also out for Emi Martinez. “You left cause you’re s***.” So a warm enough welcome.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
1′ Villa get us underway and immediately launch the ball forward.
It goes out for a Villa throw on the left by Arteta’s technical area, where we imagine he will be prowling all game.
Copy linkCopiedKick off
We’re underway at the Emirates.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams.
Copy linkCopiedPlayers are out
The players are out on the pitch and met with a huge roar from the crowd.
Copy linkCopiedFive to go
The Emirates is buzzing ahead of the game.
The players should emerge any moment now.
A quick start feels imperative today.
Copy linkCopiedCountdown
Less than 15 minutes to go until kick off now.
Club legends have been seen with the fans.
Credit: Reuters
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WEST HAM’S European hopes are going up in smoke on all fronts.The Hammers had the chance to grab sixth place in the Premier League but Andreas Pereira piled on more misery following Thursday’s 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League.Andreas Pereira hails his match-winning doubleCredit: PAPereira fired an early opener at London StadiumCredit: AlamyThe Cottagers’ midfielder completed his double on 72 minutesCredit: AlamyWith their hopes of progressing to the last four all but over, the Premier League’s European race has taken huge significance once more.The players knew it, but with legs sapped from midweek could not rise to the task.Instead of taking the initiative, David Moyes’ men fluffed a huge early chance, struggled to string more than two passes together all afternoon and quickly ran out of ideas when it came to testing Fulham.With Jarrod Bowen still missing Moyes needed his big players to step up, but star man Lucas Paqueta spent the afternoon gifting the ball to the Cottagers.Had Fulham taken all the chances West Ham had offered up this could have been a repeat of the 5-0 hammering by the Thames in December.Looking to lift the spirits from Thursday in quick fashion, Moyes threw caution to the wind somewhat.The Scot went against his usual plan and started two up top as Danny Ings joined Antonio to lead the line – and they went in search of a quick start.Paqueta was flicking the ball over Alex Iwobi’s seconds after the start, while Antonio should have fired the hosts ahead after just four minutes.Hammers’ sub George Earthy suffered a serious injury on his debutCredit: RexAfter Vladimir Coufal had forced Bernd Leno to parry the ball straight to Antonio’s feet just seven yards out, he somehow blasted high over the bar.Mohammed Kudus and Paqueta went close in the minutes after – but soon the flicks and tricks, as well as a huge cock-up from Mavropanos, undid West Ham’s bright start.West Ham boss David Moyes slams Bayer Leverkusen’s bench as ‘a disgrace’ for what they did during fiery clashPaqueta tried another flick in midfield, though this one was intercepted by Iwobi.The ex-Arsenal man clipped a cross straight to Mavropanos in the box, but instead of simply clearing it the Greek defender attempted to bring it down – teeing up Pereira to round Lukasz Fabianski and undo West Ham’s promising start.Moyes will take more heat for a job not done from frustrated fans, but when those out on the pitch are struggling to even clear or control balls there is little that anyone on the sideline can do.Pereira could have had his second far earlier too when Fulham broke down the left but he could only send Willian’s cross wide on the stretch.For a team which is so often criticised for being too defensive, West Ham have even struggled to get that side of their game right this season.This was a 13th straight Premier League game without a clean sheet, with Lukasz Fabianski just as busy here as he was in Leverkusen on Thursday.The Pole, who turns 39 on Thursday, had to stop efforts from Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz, before pulling off a superb diving save to tip Iwobi’s effort around the post after more appalling defending from Mavropanos.West Ham were only managing half chances when they managed to get forward.James Ward-Prowse sent a hopeful low shot at Leno before heading a cross from Paqueta high and wide, while Coufal did the same with an effort at the far post.Moyes sent on Tomas Soucek to try add some life to his flat side, but just as soon as the Czech got going Paqueta gave the ball away again.With no one showing to pass too, the Brazilian tried to do too much on the ball and was dispossessed by Palhinha.Fulham’s midfield maestro played in Pereira, sparking the sort of flowing move West Ham could only have dreamed of all afternoon.Pereira found Muniz, who slipped the ball wide to Iwobi. In space he drove forwards and crossed back to Pereira, who tucked home his brace.West Ham’s afternoon got even worse when, in the final minutes of normal time, teenager George Earthy – making his Premier League debut – suffered a sickening head injury and had to be carried off on a stretcher off and taken to hospital after being down on the ground for eight minutes.Players and staff were visibly shaken, with Marco Silva even darting onto the pitch as soon as the youngster went down.The 11 minutes added on played out like a training session, the already flat atmosphere completely sapped by Earthy’s injury. More