Cole Palmer scored four first-half goals for Chelsea as they beat Brighton 4-2 in a stunning display at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues went 1-0 down after seven minutes through calamitous defending that allowed Georginio Rutter to head in the opener.
Palmer was on fire for Chelsea against BrightonGetty
However, Chelsea drastically improved as they made the most of the Seagulls’ high line to score three goals in quick succession.
Palmer netted all of them in an outstanding period of the first-half, with his first a tap-in from Nicolas Jackson’s pass.
He then scored from the penalty spot after Jadon Sancho was fouled inside the area but the best effort came in his third strike.
Following a foul on Noni Madueke, Palmer curled a free-kick into the top-right corner of the goal with a stunning effort.
It sealed his third ever hat-trick for Chelsea, with the other two coming against Manchester United and Everton last season.
His tally has equalled those of Chelsea legends Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard in the Premier League.
Brighton fought back moments after Palmer’s free-kick though as Carlos Baleba capitalised on more poor defending.
However, Palmer added his and Chelsea’s fourth of the match four minutes before half-time, the second time he has netted a quartet of goals in blue after their 4-3 over United.
It’s the first time in Premier League history that a player has scored four goals before half-time.
His 43 total goal contributions is also the most in the Premier League since his Blues debut last September, four clear of Erling Haaland.
The 22-year-old has returned to his stunning formGetty
Palmer has an excellent Premier League record for Chelsea
He now has a third match ball to his name thanks to his latest hat-trickAFP
Palmer’s total output for Chelsea now sits at a whopping 31 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions, 28 of which have come in the Premier League.
The former Manchester City man also has 19 assists to his name for the Blues to make it 50 contributions overall.
Chelsea had plenty of chances to score a fifth against Brighton but held onto their 4-2 lead to take them third in the Premier League.
