Premier League: Hat-trick hero Palmer fires Chelsea to win over Man Utd; Liverpool back the top
Hat-trick hero Cole Palmer scored twice deep into stoppage time on Thursday as Chelsea stunned Manchester United 4-3, all but ending United’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Erik ten Hag’s men appeared set for a famous victory after storming back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 in a staggering game containing a combined 47 shots.
But boyhood United fan Palmer turned the game on its head, leveling from the penalty spot in the 100th minute and then netting the winner moments later in a frantic end to the game at Stamford Bridge.
United were still ahead at 99 minutes 17 seconds, the latest a side has ever led in a Premier League match they have gone on to lose.
The bitter defeat leaves sixth-placed United 11 points off fourth-placed Aston Villa with just eight games to play and facing a season outside Europe’s elite club competition.
But it lifts Mauricio Pochettino’s side to 10th spot in the table, keeping them in the hunt for a European place after an inconsistent season.
Pochettino said his team had started well but the way they conceded “affected the team in an emotional way”.
The Argentine, in his first season at Stamford Bridge, praised 21-year-old Palmer, who has been the club’s standout player since he joined in September.
“The impact is amazing,” he told the BBC. “He is doing a fantastic job. It is difficult to talk more about him. Today he showed the mentality and the quality.
Chelsea came into the match without a win against Manchester United in 12 Premier League meetings but were ahead in just the fourth minute through captain Conor Gallagher.
Palmer doubled the home side’s lead with his first penalty in the 19th minute in a torrid opening for Ten Hag’s inconsistent team.
But two goals in a five-minute spell later in the first half by Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes pulled the visitors level as the contest caught light.
Play swung wildly from end to end in a thrilling second period but Garnacho headed home a pinpoint cross from Antony to put United ahead in the 67th minute.
The visitors appeared set for a morale-boosting win but the officials signaled there would be eight minutes of added time.
Chelsea was given a lifeline when Diogo Dalot lunged at Noni Madueke and referee Jarred Gillett’s on-field decision to award a spot kick was confirmed after a lengthy VAR check.
United were caught out by a quick corner from Enzo Fernandes, who played it short to Palmer.
The Chelsea man fired home past the despairing Onana with the help of a deflection to seal the three points, sending the Stamford Bridge crowd wild.
Alexis Mac Allister fired Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League as the Argentine’s superb strike inspired a tense 3-1 win against lowly Sheffield United on Thursday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were growing anxious after Darwin Nunez’s early opener was canceled out by Conor Bradley’s own goal in the second half.
But Mac Allister eased the nerves around Anfield with a brilliant finish from the edge of the area and Cody Gakpo sealed the points in the closing moments.
On a potentially pivotal evening in the title race, Liverpool moved two points clear of second-placed Arsenal with eight games left for each of the three teams involved in a gripping battle for supremacy.
Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Luton had knocked Liverpool out of pole position on Wednesday, with third-placed Manchester City’s 4-1 rout of Aston Villa keeping them in the hunt.
But Liverpool, unbeaten in their last 28 home league matches, are now a step closer to being crowned English champions for a record-equalling 20th time and first since 2020.
Klopp’s treble chasers have already won the League Cup and face Atalanta in the Europa League quarterfinals as they eye a memorable farewell for the German in his last season.
However, they will have to improve on this erratic display to hold off Arsenal and champions City, who are three points adrift of Liverpool.
Liverpool head to Manchester United in the league on Sunday for a crucial clash with their bitter rivals.supersport-logo
