Cole Palmer Named Player of the Matchweek for Chelsea's Win

Cole Palmer has been named Player of the Matchweek for Matchweek 1 after tearing through Fulham in Chelsea’s 3-2 derby win at Craven Cottage.

The 22-year-old ran the show in west London. He set the tone early, sliding in the assist for Joao Pedro’s opener, then settled the contest himself with what proved to be the winner at the start of the second half.

Everything Chelsea did in the final third seemed to run through him. Palmer took five shots, had nine touches inside the Fulham box, won 10 duels and recovered the ball seven times – leading all Chelsea players in every one of those categories. He wasn’t just the creative spark; he was the workhorse too.

The numbers backed up the eye test, and so did the fans. Palmer collected 40 per cent of the public vote for the award, finishing well clear of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who received 22 per cent.

It is Palmer’s first Player of the Matchweek prize since Matchweek 25 of last season, when he hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. If this latest display is any indication, it may not be his last this campaign.