Cole Palmer’s Hat-trick Leads Chelsea to Last-Minute Victory Over Manchester United 4-3
Cole Palmer’s hat-trick in stoppage time led Chelsea to a dramatic 4-3 victory over Manchester United.
Cole Palmer scored twice deep into stoppage time to complete a hat-trick as Chelsea stunned Manchester United 4-3 on Thursday, all but ending their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
After roaring back from a 2-0 deficit to lead 3-2 in an exciting match that included a total of 47 shots, Erik ten Hag‘s team looked headed for an important victory. But Palmer, a lifelong United supporter, completely changed the course of the match when he scored the game’s winning goal in a wild Stamford Bridge finish moments after leveling the score from the penalty spot in the 100th minute.
At 99 minutes and 17 seconds, United was still leading—the most a team has ever led in a Premier League game they ultimately lost.
With only eight games remaining and an 11-point deficit to fourth-place Aston Villa, the heartbreaking loss condemns sixth-place United to a season outside of Europe’s top club tournament.
However, despite a patchy season, it propels Mauricio Pochettino’s team to 10th position in the standings and keeps them in the running for a European spot.
Although his team had gotten off to a strong start, Pochettino noted that their concession “affected the team in an emotional way”.
In his debut year at Stamford Bridge, the Argentine gave high marks to 21-year-old Palmer, who has emerged as the team’s star player since his September arrival.
“It’s an incredible effect,” he told the BBC. “He is performing admirably. It is hard to discuss him further. He demonstrated the mindset and the quality today.
“I said ‘Cole, two minutes more and to believe’.”
Conor Gallagher, the captain of Chelsea, gave them the lead in just the fourth minute of play. Chelsea had not defeated Manchester United in twelve Premier League encounters prior to this one.
After Marc Cucurella was taken down by Anthony in a wild opening for the visitors, Palmer extended the advantage for the home team with his first penalty in the 19th minute.
However, in the 34th minute, Moises Caicedo gave the ball away for no apparent reason, allowing Alejandro Garnacho to break forward and score the goal with ease, giving United a lifeline.
After Bruno Fernandes headed home at the back post after Diogo Dalot’s cross found him five minutes later, the score was level.
In an exciting second half, play veered wildly from end to end, but in the 67th, Garnacho headed home a precise cross that came from outside Antony’s left boot to give United the lead.
The officials indicated that there would be eight minutes of extra time, even though it looked like the visitors would win all three points.
After a protracted VAR check, referee Jarred Gillett’s on-field decision to award a penalty kick was validated, giving Chelsea a lifeline when Dalot lunged at Noni Madueke. However, the drama continued after that.
Enzo Fernandez’s fast corner caught United off guard, as he played it short to Palmer.
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With the help of a deflection off United’s Scott McTominay, the Chelsea forward fired home past the heartbroken Andre Onana to seal the victory and electrify the Stamford Bridge fans.
“When the eight minutes got added on it gave us a lift — madness,” Palmer stated.
Since joining Chelsea on September 1, the former Manchester City player has scored 19 goals for the team.
“We need to try to win as many games as possible,” he stated. “To win like that, there is nothing better.”
After the heartbreaking loss, Ten Hag faces increasing pressure at United in just his second season as manager, as Jim Ratcliffe, the new co-owner, is still unsure about whether to continue with the team or change course.
The FA Cup is their only remaining chance to win a trophy; they play Coventry in the semi-finals later this month to earn a spot in the Wembley final against either Chelsea or City.
“Definitely a setback and now we have to deal with this and get up,” Ten Hag remarked. “We are resilient and you have seen that today.”Although our football is of a very high caliber, football is a results-driven sport, thus improvement takes time.”
