Cole Palmer once again dazzled on his landmark appearance – but failed to stop Chelsea from creating unwanted Premier League history.
The 22-year-old marked his 50th top-flight start with another wonder goal, but his smile was wiped from his face as Fulham fought back to win their first match at Stamford Bridge since 1979.
Late strikes from Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz stunned the hosts in what was their first goals at Chelsea’s home in seven attempts.
Chelsea looked to be on course to close the gap on leaders Liverpool to a point following Palmer’s early opener.
The Chelsea playmaker found the back of the net in the 16th minute at on Boxing Day with a beautiful effort from outside the box.
Palmer slalomed past Andreas Pereira and Sasa Lukic before coolly slotting into Bernd Leno’s near post to bring up his 12th Premier League goal of the season.
His goal means he has now been directly involved in 52 goals from his opening 50 top-flight starts.
In that time, Palmer has chipped in with 34 goals and 18 assists.
Only his ex-Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland [64] and Manchester United legend Andy Cole [57] have been involved in more goals from their first 50 Premier League starts.
What is even more impressive is that both of those players are strikers.
Whereas Palmer has spent the majority of his career as a No.10, while also operating on the right wing on occasions.
All but three of his 50 Premier League starts has come during his time at Chelsea..
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He was named in Pep Guardiola’s XI at City just three times – chipping in with a solitary assist.
Palmer has enjoyed a stunning 2024 so far, where he has been directly involved in 39 Premier League goals.
Incredibly, that is more than what Haaland managed in 2023 [38 goals]
But unfortunately for Palmer, his goal failed to matter following a late collapse in the west London derby.
Harry Wilson popped up with an 82nd minute equaliser after heading home in off the post from inside the six-yard box.
And in the fifth minute of added time, Muniz sent the away fans into pandemonium after firing low into the corner following a blistering counter-attack.
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