In a thrilling Premier League clash, Chelsea emerged victorious against Manchester United with a 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge. United initially took the lead in the 99th minute, raising hopes for a crucial three points in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. However, Cole Palmer, a lifelong United fan, turned the game around by converting a penalty and scoring again just moments later, completing his first senior hat-trick at 21 years old. Despite the passionate celebration of his achievement on Instagram, the full display of a message resulted in an insult, leaving uncertainty about whether Palmer noticed.
Palmer’s first-half penalty had initially given Chelsea a 2-0 lead, but goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes leveled the score before half-time. Garnacho’s second goal in the second half seemed to position United for a 3-2 win, until Palmer rallied with another penalty in the 100th minute, followed by a deflected strike a minute later. After the game, Palmer described the win as “crazy,” reflecting on the added eight minutes that provided them with a lift. Chelsea’s victory was a relief for under-pressure head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who applauded Palmer’s remarkable mentality and capacity to handle pressure.
Pochettino lauded Palmer’s 16 Premier League goals in his debut season with Chelsea and expressed his admiration for the young player’s consistent performance. Following the game, Chelsea climbed to 10th place with 43 points, while United’s hopes for Champions League qualification appear bleak, trailing 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, albeit with a game in hand.