- Palmer’s Perfect 12: Surpasses Yaya Toure with Ice-Cold Panenka
- Blues Triumph in Seven-Goal Thriller, Keep Pressure on Liverpool
- Chelsea’s Rising Star Shines with Record-Breaking Penalty Display
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer etched his name in the history books on Sunday, breaking an English Premier League record during his team’s dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Palmer coolly converted two second-half penalties, extending his perfect penalty streak to 12 in the league and surpassing the previous record of 11 held by Manchester City legend Yaya Toure, according to Opta.
The 21-year-old’s second penalty, an audacious Panenka in the 84th minute, showcased his composure under pressure. The cheeky chip down the middle of the goal paid homage to the Czech football icon Antonin Panenka, who popularized the technique.
The match had a rocky start for Chelsea, with Tottenham capitalizing on defensive errors to take a commanding 2-0 lead within the first 11 minutes. However, the Blues rallied, beginning with Jadon Sancho’s powerful strike in the 17th minute to cut the deficit.
Palmer leveled the scores in the 61st minute, converting from the spot after Yves Bissouma’s reckless challenge on Moises Caicedo. The momentum shifted further in Chelsea’s favor when Enzo Fernández scored the go-ahead goal in the 73rd minute, following an incisive run and setup by Palmer.
Palmer sealed his record-breaking performance with the Panenka penalty late in the game, giving Chelsea a 4-2 advantage. Tottenham captain Son Heung-min netted a consolation goal in the dying seconds, but it wasn’t enough to dampen Chelsea’s spirited comeback.
The victory moves Chelsea within four points of league leaders Liverpool, though the Blues have played one more game. Despite the impressive win, manager Enzo Maresca remained cautious about title race talk, emphasizing the need to focus on consistent improvement.
“After the game, my message to the players was to stay focused day by day,” Maresca said. “Enjoy the day off, then come back ready to train, improve, and prepare for the next game. Thinking too far ahead is a mistake.”
Chelsea’s resurgent form and Palmer’s rise as a key player continue to give fans plenty to celebrate as the team rebuilds under Maresca’s guidance.
