New Delhi: Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer etched his name into the club’s history books once again on Thursday night, setting a new club record for Premier League goals in a calendar year. His milestone moment came during the Blues’ clash against Fulham at Stamford Bridge, a dramatic encounter that ended in a 2-1 defeat for the home side. The England international showcased his brilliance in the 20th minute, evading three defenders with sublime footwork before coolly slotting the ball past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The goal marked Palmer’s 26th Premier League strike of 2024, surpassing the previous record of 25 set by club legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 2001. While he set a club record for most goals in a calendar year, he also reached level with Erling Haaland for most Premier League goals in 2024 with both of them sitting at 26 goals for this year. With Palmer yet to play one more game this year and Haaland struggling for form, the former Manchester City midfielder could overtake the current Manchester City striker as well.
Palmer’s impact since joining Chelsea from Manchester City in August 2023 has been nothing short of transformative. He was easily Chelsea’s best player last season and there were some critics doubting whether he could continue the same form for a second season running and that too under a new manager. However, under the stewardship of manager Enzo Maresca, the 21-year-old forward has emerged as a key figure in the Blues’ resurgence this season.
The most goals of any @ChelseaFC player in a calendar year…
👏 Cole Palmer 👏 pic.twitter.com/MzOzgmRmbx
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 26, 2024
With 12 goals and six assists in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, Palmer has played a pivotal role in propelling Chelsea to second place in the table, trailing only Liverpool. His overall contributions for Chelsea have been staggering, with 51 goal involvements in 51 appearances across all competitions. Such consistency has solidified Palmer’s reputation as one of the brightest young talents in European football and a cornerstone of Maresca’s attacking philosophy.
Palmer’s achievements in 2024 highlight not only his individual brilliance but also Chelsea’s ability to rebuild after a challenging period. His creativity, composure, and knack for scoring vital goals have reinvigorated a side that struggled for consistency in recent years. As Chelsea push for domestic and European glory under Maresca, the young forward’s contributions will remain central to their ambitions. Though the result against Fulham dampened the celebrations, Palmer’s historic feat will be remembered as a defining moment in Chelsea’s modern era.
Historic win for Fulham
An unwanted record finally broken by @FulhamFC…
Their 2-1 win over Chelsea was a first at Stamford Bridge in all competitions for 45 years! 😱 pic.twitter.com/gC3ACLdGxe
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 26, 2024
Despite Palmer’s record-breaking moment, the match against Fulham ended on a sour note for Chelsea. Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz scored a dramatic injury-time winner, completing a comeback that left Stamford Bridge stunned. The loss underscored the competitive nature of the Premier League as the Blues were leading the game until the 82nd minute of the match. Former Liverpool winger Harry Wilson got Fulham back on level terms in the 82nd minute with a free header inside the box.
Just when it looked like Fulham had snatched a draw at Chelsea, they went a step further and took all three points from their cross-town rivals. Robert Sanchez’s hoofed up a ball across the half-line but it ended straight at the feet of a Fulham player and they started the counter attack that was finished by Rodrigo Muniz. This win marked Fulham’s first ever Premier League win at Stamford Bridge and the first win in over 45 years that the Cottagers had managed over their neighbours at their home turf.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is breaking records left, right and center with his performances for the club and reached another milestone for the Blues during their boxing day defeat to Fulham. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
