Revealed: Why Cole Palmer’s stunning goal vs Wolves should NOT have stood – as little-known rule prevents VAR from intervening in Chelsea star’s strike
- Cole Palmer was the star performer as Chelsea beat Wolves 6-2 on Sunday afternoon
- The England star provided three assists and a goal to help the Blues secure victory
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Cole Palmer proved once again why he is one of the Premier League’s brightest young stars. The Chelsea forward played a crucial role in his side’s 6-2 win over Wolves on Sunday afternoon.
Enzo Maresca’s side secured their first win of the 2024-25 season, with Palmer assisting Noni Madueke for all three of his goals, while the former Man City star also found the net himself.
Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring for the Blues after two minutes, with Matheus Cunha equalising on 27 minutes. Palmer then hit back with a second in the 45th minute, before Jorgen Strand Larsen tapped in another equaliser to make it 2-2.
Madueke scored a hat-trick after the break, before Joao Felix decided the match with a goal on his return to the Premier League.
However, some argue that Palmer’s strike should not have happened.
Cole Palmer was again a star performer as Chelsea secured a 6-2 win over Wolves on Sunday
The Blues forward (right) set up Noni Madueke to score all three of his goals and also scored himself
But some believe Palmer’s stunning strike should have been disallowed but was allowed by the referees due to an obscure rule
Robert Sanchez played a long ball to Nicolas Jackson and Chelsea raced forward towards the Wolves penalty area.
The Senegalese striker held the ball well and then passed it to Palmer.
The England star, who last week picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year Award, saw Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa come off his line to stop the oncoming attack and saw his chance to put the Blues ahead.
When Sa was out of position, Palmer cleverly tapped the ball over the keeper. The keeper remained on the ground as he tried to prevent the ball from hitting the net.
It may have been the goal of the game, but some feel it shouldn’t have been scored, as fans noted that Sanchez didn’t let the ball come to rest before making the long pass to start the move.
Replays showed the ball was still rolling when the Spain international played his goal kick to Jackson.
Fans had noticed that Jose Sa had not let the ball come to rest before taking a goal kick which started the move in front of goal
Richard Keys argued on beIN Sports that the goal ‘should strictly be disallowed’
According to the Laws of the Football Association (FA), Law 16 states that ‘the ball must be stationary’ before it is kicked.
BeIN Sports presenter Richard Keys spotted the foul and subsequently argued that Palmer’s goal should have been allowed.
“Things are going well,” said the former Sky Sports presenter.
‘Strictly speaking, it should be banned.’
Questions were asked as to why the VAR had not intervened to ban the strike.
Palmer (centre) would also join an exclusive list of players who have assisted every goal for a team-mate’s hat-trick in the Premier League, after assisting Madueke for his three goals
Madueke enjoyed an excellent match, despite previously causing anger among some Wolves fans due to a now-deleted social media post
But the goal would ultimately be allowed due to Premier League rules on how VAR can be used, which do not allow video referees to control set pieces.
Palmer would join an exclusive club of players, including Stan Collymore, Thierry Henry and Harry Kane, who have assisted every team-mate’s goal in the Premier League.