Palmer’s first-half hat-trick fires Chelsea to win over Wolves | OneFootball

Cole Palmer shone for Chelsea at Molineux, scoring all three goals for the Blues in a comfortable 3-1 win over hapless Wolves.

The scoreline was a result of the home side’s own doing. Chelsea struggled to create much in the first 35 minutes, but they did not need to.

They were gifted two penalties, Joao Pedro was the victim on both occasions. For the first he was pushed over by Matt Doherty as he was exiting the box, 12 minutes into the game.

It was a bizarre challenge, and referee Jarred Gillett did not hesitate before pointing to the spot.

Cole Palmer took it, and converted it as cooly as he so often does.

The next 20 minutes passed without much action, before Yerson Mosquera gave away the next penalty.

He pushed Joao Pedro to the ground, both hands on his back, as the Brazilian was running to latch onto a ball in the box.

Again Gillett quickly pointed to the spot, and again Palmer converted well, this time into the opposite side of the goal.

At this point it seemed the result was confirmed, despite Chelsea not even playing anywhere near their best. The Wolves faithful were booing loudly, and those boos turned into heavy abuse when Palmer rocketed in Chelsea’s third to complete his hat-trick after only 38 minutes.

No team in the Premier League can afford to gift goals, least of all the side bottom of the table and 18 points adrift of safety.

But the Midlands side came out after the break with some vigour and striker Tolu Arokodare got Wolves on the scoresheet following a corner which was well flicked on by new signing Adam Armstrong.

Rob Edwards’ side rallied for the next few minutes and even looked like they could turn it into a complicated afternoon for Chelsea. Palmer was taken off and it seemed the momentum was shifting.

But Wolves could only manage a couple of half-chances before running out of steam in the 70th minute.

Liam Rosenior needed a win after the disappointing Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal in midweek, and this was exactly the game he would have wished for.

His side never had to get out of second gear, and Palmer looked back to his best. Leeds await at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.