Excellent Cole Palmer scores four vs Everton with latest Premier League Golden Boot standings

Excellent Cole Palmer scores four vs Everton with latest Premier League Golden Boot standings

Chelsea winger Cole Palmer is breathing down the neck of Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.

Palmer buried a perfect hat-trick in just 16 minutes to put Mauricio Pochettino’s side firmly in control at Stamford Bridge. His first was a now trademark finish as he held off challenges from defenders before curling a shot into the bottom corner.

His second was a close-range header which left Pickford scrambling across his goalline to try and keep it out. His third was the best of the lot when a miscued clearance fell to the feet of Palmer who chipped the England international from just inside the Everton half. In the second half Palmer scored a penalty to make it four on the night.

The goals on Monday night have moved Palmer joint first in the Golden Boot race, level with Haaland who is also on 20. Chelsea’s other goalscorer on the night was Nicolas Jackson who fired a half-volley beyond Pickford in the first-half.

Should the Blues go on to seal a likely victory this evening, it would move them back into contention for a place in Europe next season. Pochettino’s men will be just three points behind sixth-place Newcastle United.

The team which finishes sixth this season will likely finish in at least the Europa League spots for next season. If they were to do that, there is no need to guess who would be considered the star man – Palmer.

4) Alexander Isak (Newcastle United), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Dominic Solanke (AFC Bournemouth) – 17

7) Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) and Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) – 15

9) Phil Foden (Manchester City) and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 14