- Chelsea dominated Everton, beating Toffees 6-0, with Cole Palmer scoring four goals
- Before the penalty goal, an altercation occurred between a number of players
- Darwin Nunez is a handful, but not deadly. Jurgen Klopp makes excuses for him – Listen to the It all starts podcast
Three Chelsea players were physically involved before the Blues’ fifth goal against Everton.
The Blues dominated their opponents throughout the match, winning 6-0 and leading by five just after an hour into the match, which would help keep their European hopes alive.
Cole Palmer stole the show, scoring a first-half hat-trick as Everton crumbled in their battle to stay in the Premier League after two sets of points deductions.
The England hopeful also scored in the second half, firing in from the spot when Noni Madueke was fouled in the penalty area, although the call did not come without controversy as a number of Blues players were involved in somewhat of a scuffle on the pitch.
Palmer eventually took the penalty, but both Madueke and Nicolas Jackson were involved in a row that had to be broken up by Conor Gallagher and Malo Gusto, among others.
Three Chelsea players were involved in an on-pitch outbreak before Cole Palmer’s penalty against Everton
Noni Madueke (right) had wanted to take the penalty, with Cole Palmer (centre) the designated taker
Captain Conor Gallagher (centre) intervened to separate the three players before Palmer took the kick
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It initially looked like Palmer had been fouled in the penalty area, but referee Paul Tierney waved on before Madueke also went down.
Eventually the referee pointed to the spot, presumably for the tackle on Palmer, and it looked like Madueke, who had tried to take the penalty Palmer scored against Manchester United a fortnight ago, and Jackson would battle to take the spot-kick. the penalty with the Blues already 4-0 up.
Sky TV cameras showed the two players arguing as it cut to a replay, but when the cameras returned to the live feed, Palmer could be seen with the ball in his hands.
Jackson and Madueke appeared furious with Palmer, who has now scored nine of nine penalties in the Premier League this season.
With Gallagher getting involved, Palmer pushed Jackson as the Blues captain made sure he stayed away and told the striker, who scored Chelsea’s fourth goal, to calm down.
Jackson appeared frustrated that Gallagher had taken the ball from Madueke to give to Palmer, and received a push from his captain, with the England midfielder also pushing Madueke away.
Madueke and Jackson were arguing off the beaten track, with Jackson throwing out his arms in frustration.
Gallagher pushed both Jackson and Madueke, while Palmer also pushed Jackson prior to the kick and goal
However, Palmer fired home to score his ninth penalty out of nine in the Premier League this season
“Grow up,” former Arsenal striker Alan Smith said of the situation on Sky Sports commentary. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it.
“Cole Palmer is the designated taker and he’s the best at it.”
Madueke also appeared frustrated when he was substituted later in the match and asked his manager Mauricio Pochettino if he could continue despite appearing injured.
Palmer was congratulated by both players on scoring the penalty and shared a high-five with Jackson when he was substituted about 15 minutes from time.