Jamie O'Hara delivers honest verdict on Chelsea star Cole Palmer after his four goals today

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has given the Premier League and multiple pundits and publications probably the easiest ever claim for Man of the Match in recent football history.

The Blues ace scored all four goals for his side in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.

Chelsea trailed to Georginio Rutter’s seventh-minute goal, but Palmer – who had already had one goal chalked off – got his side back on track before running riot.

The England international equalised for the Blues in the 21st minute, firing into an empty net after Nicolas Jackson had drawn the Seagulls goalkeeper out.

Seven minutes later, Chelsea won a penalty, and Palmer stepped up to the spot and coolly rolled the ball into Bart Verbruggen’s bottom-left corner.

Enzo Maresca’s charges were seemingly home and dry just after the half-hour mark as Palmer curled a superb free kick into the top corner from 25 yards out.

However, Brighton struck back just three minutes through Carlos Baleba, who pounced on a poor Robert Sanchez back-pass and rifled home.

Palmer duly re-established Chelsea’s two-goal lead in the 41st minute, firing the ball past the keeper at his near post after a great Jadon Sancho through-ball.

Although the second half was a much tamer affair, with no further goals, Palmer continued to work hard and came close to adding to his four-goal haul.

Jamie O’Hara says Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is ‘an absolute joy to watch’

Pundits couldn’t help but sing Palmer’s praises after the game, including those with affinity towards Chelsea’s rivals.

For instance, Tottenham-leaning pundit Jamie O’Hara loved what he saw from the Stamford Bridge superstar.

“Cole Palmer, an absolute joy to watch,” he said on talkSPORT (28/9/2024, 5:14pm). “Every time he gets the ball, he makes things happen.”

Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand are also among the pundits to have praised Palmer in wake of his four goals against Brighton.

READ MORE: Nigel Reo-Coker shares whether he thinks Chelsea finish in the Premier League top four 

How the media rated Palmer display

The Evening Standard gave Palmer a 10 out of 10 and wrote: “An absolute masterclass.

“Became the first man to score four before half-time in a Premier League game. Could have had two more, and three assists, on top of that.

Goal.com also went with a 10, deeming Palmer’s display “a masterpiece of a performance.”

They continued: “Scored four in the first half, making Premier League history, including an incredible long-range free-kick. Some beautiful passing, too. He is absolutely ridiculous.”

90Min was next to give Palmer a 10, saying: “Goodness gracious me. The first player in Premier League history to score four times in a first half. Need we say more? Let the 10 do the talking.”

Meanwhile, football.london went with 9.5 out of 10, writing: “Hit the post when clean through on goal, and really should have scored.

“But he redeemed himself moments later. Finished it to draw Chelsea level after being picked out by Jackson.

“Then, what proceeded after that was just an absolute madness. Four goals in the first-half, one an exceptional free-kick. That tells you everything.”