Cole Palmer has now eclipsed Eden Hazard’s best Premier League tally following his latest Chelsea goal.
The 22-year-old broke the deadlock away at Brighton on Wednesday night with a brilliant header in the 34th minute.
Attacking midfielder Palmer crept inside the box unmarked to meet Marc Cucurella’s cross from the left, where he guided his effort into the far corner.
It was the England international’s 22nd top-flight goal of the season, with only Manchester City marksman Erling Haaland scoring more.
In total, Palmer, who joined the Blues in a £40million deal from the Citizens last summer, has contributed directly to 32 league goals having also chipped in with ten assists.
That is now one more than what Chelsea legend Hazard managed in the 2018/19 campaign – his final campaign at Stamford Bridge.
The now-retired Belgian winger was involved in 31 top-flight goals that term, scoring 16 while laying on 15 for his teammates.
And Palmer has also now equalled Chelsea’s all-time top scorer Frank Lampard’s best Premier League return of 22 goals, which he set in the club’s 2009/10 double-winning campaign.
His 27 goals in all competitions this season has also matched Lampard’s best return which he set the same term.
Only Didier Drogba (29 in 2009/10) and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (23 – in 2000/01 and 2001/02) have scored more for Chelsea in a single Premier League season than Palmer.
Palmer’s header for Chelsea has seen him open the scoring for Mauricio Pochettino’s men nine times in the top-flight this term.
That is the joint-most by a Chelsea in a single season along with Gianfranco Zola (in 1998/99), Drogba (in 2006/07) and Hazard (in 2014/15).
Only Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe boast more goal contributions than Palmer this season, with the two forwards chipping up with 44 and 34 respectively.
Palmer’s season could have gone differently had he had linked up with Brighton instead of the west London outfit.
Ahead of the clash at the Amex Stadium, Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi confirmed his side were in talks to sign him, only for Chelsea to pip them to his signature.
News Summary:
- Cole Palmer beats Chelsea legend Eden Hazard for most goal involvements in a season with brilliant header against Brighton
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