IN THIS sort of form, Cole Palmer will give Chelsea the belief that they can do the improbable and beat Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.
Palmer scored four times last night, including a perfect hat-trick in the first half, to draw level with Erling Haaland as the joint-top scorer in the Premier League on 20 goals.
The 21-year-old inspired Chelsea to their biggest win of the season and fired a warning to his former club ahead of their FA Cup semi-final clash.
Pep Guardiola's City have clicked into ominous form as they seek another Treble and are unbeaten in 27 matches in all competitions stretching back more than four months.
But Palmer's brilliant form makes Chelsea a real threat, as he bids to fire the Blues to European qualification and an unlikely trophy.
Chelsea have taken points off City home and away this season - drawing 4-4 at Stamford Bridge and 1-1 at the Etihad. Palmer scored a 97th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot in the game in west London and has taken his game to another level this season.
City must be wondering why they sold him for £42.5million last summer. That fee looks like a bargain and he is now worth at least double that after 25 goals in all competitions this season.
This story is from the April 16, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the April 16, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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