There was one potential dark cloud from Chelsea’s 6-0 blowout win over Everton on Monday, as the Blues improved their European stock behind four goals from Cole Palmer.
It came before Palmer converted a penalty to complete his day, as teammates Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke — the latter having won the penalty — were involved with Palmer and several others outside the 18.
[ MORE: Chelsea 6-0 Everton | Watch all four of Palmer’s goals ]
Palmer lifted the lid on the incident after the game on the USA Network, saying he is the penalty taker — he has nine converted spot kicks this year, after all — and that Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino addressed that with the team.
And Palmer said the incident was “nothing.”
Pochettino, Palmer on Chelsea penalty spat
“Nothing, look, everyone wants to score,” Palmer told the NBC Sports Soccer studio crew. “We spoke about it and brushed it under the carpet but I figure it shows the mentality of the attacking players. The gaffer’s told us and it’s been brushed aside and I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
Pochettino had a bit more to say.
“I want to tell you, to make clear, the players know, the staff know, that the taker is Cole Palmer,” Pochettino said, via football.london. “What happened after is a shame. I am so, so upset about the situation. In every single country watching the game, it’s a shame, I want to apologise to our fans. Discipline is the most important thing in our team and the offensive players need to show they are hungry to score goals, but this type of situation. We need to make clear the situation but I am not going to accept this type of behavior. I am going to be very strong. I was telling them. I promise this won’t happen again. When you have a young squad, sometimes the personal aims are in front.”
Palmer on his four-goal day, move from Man City to Chelsea
Palmer was thrilled with his four-goal day but tried not to get ahead of himself given Chelsea’s recent struggles to hold leads in draws (although the Blues are unbeaten in eight Premier League matches).
“It was a great game for me and the team, to get a win after a difficult past few games I’m really happy about it,” Palmer said.
The crew asked also Palmer what it was like to leave Manchester City for Chelsea.
“I was at Man City my whole life and to make the decision to come to Chelsea was a big one for me and my family,” said Palmer, who turns 22 next month. “I just wanted to play football. I’m thankful to Chelsea for the great opportunity and I’m buzzing to be here.”
