Cole Palmer is the first Chelsea player to win Premier League Player of the Month for SIX YEARS after stunning with seven goals in April… while Everton’s Sean Dyche takes the manager’s prize by ensuring safety for the Toffees

Cole Palmer has won his first Premier League Player of the Month award for his performances at Chelsea in April, while Everton’s Sean Dyche has been rewarded with the manager’s award.

In four appearances, Palmer led the league in April with his seven goals for the Blues, as well as one assist, and is the first Chelsea player to win the prize within six yearssince Eden Hazard in September 2018.

Dyche oversaw four wins – including crucial success in the Merseyside derby – and a draw in their six games in the month to secure Everton’s safety in the Premier League for another season.

Palmer scored a hat-trick in Chelsea’s 4-3 comeback win over Man United, as well as four in a 6-0 win over Everton – the only match Dyche’s side lost in April.

The 22-year-old became the first Blues player to score in seven consecutive home games in the Premier League, and the first ever scorer of a Chelsea hat-trick, completing his trio within 29 minutes of kick-off against the Toffees.

Everton boss Sean Dyche collected the management award after ensuring safety for the Toffees

Against Everton, Palmer became only the fourth Chelsea player to score four in a Premier League match, after Gianluca Vialli, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Frank Lampard.

While at Manchester City, Palmer won the PL2 Player of the Month award in October 2020.

He is one of eight nominees for Premier League Player of the Season and has also been shortlisted for the Young Players Award.

Palmer beat Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, Man United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Man City centre-back Josko Gvardiol for the April prize.

Dyche has won the Manager of the Month award for the third time in his career, having previously won it with Burnley in March 2018 and February 2020.

He is the first Everton boss to claim the award since Carlo Ancelotti in September 2020.

Everton bounced back from defeat at Stamford Bridge to beat Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford at Goodison Park in six days.

Dyche told Everton’s website: ‘I am very satisfied, of course on my own behalf, but also on behalf of my staff and the players, and the fans who have played their part.

‘It was a really good series, very enjoyable and a tough month of competition, especially with one excellent match that was of course not to our liking. But I think overall the way we performed as a group has been really nice.”

Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola were the other managers nominated for the Manager of the Month award for April.