MX23RW : Friday, May 31 13:21:33| >> :120:5585:5585:
[monks data]
Brighton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 34
May 15, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
The American Express Community Stadium
Chelsea logo

Brighton
1 - 2
Chelsea

Welbeck (90+7')
Dunk (29'), Verbruggen (81')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Palmer (34'), Nkunku (64')
Sterling (77'), Caicedo (79')
James (88')

Cole Palmer equals Chelsea Premier League record in Brighton & Hove Albion win

Palmer equals Chelsea Premier League record in Brighton win
© Reuters
Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer equals a club Premier League record with his opening goal in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer equalled a club record in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

The England international opened the scoring in the 34th minute when he met Marc Cucurella's driven cross to steer his header past the outstretched Bart Verbruggen.

Palmer's strike gave Chelsea a narrow half-time lead, before Christopher Nkunku scored his third Premier League goal of the season to double the visitors' advantage.

The Blues were forced to overcome some late adversity in the form of a Reece James red card and a Danny Welbeck strike, but they managed to hold on to claim a fourth consecutive victory for the first time since October 2022.

As a result of their fine form, Mauricio Pochettino's side are now in sixth place and on the brink of securing Europa League qualification.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer scores against Brighton & Hove Albion on May 15, 2024© Reuters

Palmer equal goalscoring record

In the process of giving Chelsea a crucial lead, Palmer equalled Chelsea's Premier League record for the most openers scored by a player in a single campaign.

The headed effort represented the ninth time that he had opened the scoring in the top flight this season, moving him level with three Chelsea greats.

Gianfranco Zola scored nine openers in 1998-99, while Didier Drogba achieved the feat in 2006-07 on his way to claiming the Golden Boot with 20 goals.

Before Palmer, Eden Hazard was the most recent Chelsea player to equal the record when he broke the deadlock on nine occasions during the 2014-15 Premier League season.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates scoring against West Ham United on May 5, 2024© Reuters

Palmer enjoying productive first season at Stamford Bridge

Palmer has now scored 22 goals in 33 top-flight appearances since joining Chelsea from Manchester City last summer.

As a result, he is sitting in second place in the Premier League scoring charts, with two goals more than third-placed Alexander Isak and five goals adrift of the league's leading scorer Erling Haaland.

Only two Chelsea players have ever scored more goals in a single Premier League campaign – Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Drogba.

Hasselbaink registered 23 goals in both 2000-01 and 2001-02, while Drogba racked up 29 goals to fire Chelsea to the 2009-10 Premier League title.

ID:543704:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4742:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Cole Palmer

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Game History

How you voted: Brighton vs Chelsea

Brighton & Hove Albion
14.1%
Draw
13.0%
Chelsea
72.9%
354
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League on June 10, 2023
Read Next:
All-time combined XI: Manchester City vs. Chelsea
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!