Cole Palmer's golden touch could save Chelsea's season - Premier League hits and misses
For all the money they've wastefully splurged, Chelsea might just have pulled off the signing of the season. It will certainly feel that way if Cole Palmer can add to his Premier League heroics with something special against his former club Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-finals.
That certainly isn't beyond him. Everything Palmer touches turns to gold right now.
He has almost single-handedly revived the Blues' league prospects. For all their issues this season they are three points off sixth and seventh with a game in hand over Newcastle and Manchester United. European football could be salvaged for next year. Palmer's back-to-back hat-tricks at Stamford Bridge have helped - especially the late two goals to turn defeat into victory against United.
On Monday it was a showcase of his wonderful ability. The skill in the silky opener. The instinct to poach the second. The ruthlessness to punish Jordan Pickford with his weaker foot. And then the attitude to take the ball off Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson for the second-half penalty.
This 21-year-old has it all. Chelsea supporters gave him a standing ovation when he came off - they know they've brought a real gem to the club in Palmer.
Peter Smith
Much of Monday was dominated by Everton's big off-pitch issue: their appeal against a second points deduction this season. But at Stamford Bridge their problems on the pitch were brutally exposed.
Sean Dyche was incensed in his post-match press conference by what he saw across the field.
Up front, there was the same wasteful finishing that has held them back all year. Beto's volley over from three yards was a shocking miss. His blushes may have been spared by the offside flag going up but if he'd hit the net VAR
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