Cole Palmer showed moments of brilliance even on a quiet day against Nottingham Forest, writes HENRY CLARK – Chelsea’s creator in chief is arguably the best player in the Premier League right now
‘Welcome to the home of the great entertainers,’ was the message before kick-off from Chelsea’s stadium announcer Lee Parker, attempting to stir the crowd into life ahead of the main event.
No one, though, needs a reminder that entertainment is on the cards when this Chelsea side are in town. They just don’t do boring, after all. Enzo Maresca’s side are a thrill a minute – the division’s highest scorers but also liable to dropping a clanger or two at the back, as they did against Brighton.
Cole Palmer proved he is the greatest showman of all in that match after his four-goal, Oscar-worthy performance.
Palmer made football look easy that day. Though he was helped by Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler sticking staunchly by his principle of a high defensive line, thus affording Palmer the freedom of west London to wreak havoc and conjure up his magic.
Life was always going to be more challenging against a Nuno Espirito Santo Forest side. Chelsea were given a sneak-peak of what to expect when Forest went to Anfield and inflicted the first defeat of Arne Slot’s reign at Liverpool earlier this season.
Cole Palmer didn’t have his usual impact on Sunday but still showed moments of brilliance
Chelsea, the division’s highest scorers, are a thrill a minute – going forward and at the back
It was a similar ploy here as they sat in an organised, low block to stunt Chelsea and Palmer, their creator in chief.
Starved of space in the final third, Palmer was forced to drop deeper and deeper into midfield. It allowed him to get on the ball, though not in the areas that he could really hurt Espirito Santo’s team.
Yet even on a relatively quiet day, by his high standards, there were still moments of brilliance. You should expect that from a man who is arguably the best player in the Premier League right now.
Only an incredible double-save from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels denied Palmer from scoring his seventh of the season, though a mention should go to the genius touch he produced to get past defender Morato to create the opening.
And Palmer still managed to move behind Bukayo Saka for the most assists this season by laying on Noni Madueke for his goal. That was one of six chances he laid on, the second-most he has managed for Chelsea in a league game.
Starved of space, Palmer was forced to drop deeper but he still had moments of brilliance
At the very death, it looked as though Palmer might still prove the matchwinner. There was a collective and sharp in-take of breath around Stamford Bridge as the ball was rolled back to him on the edge of the area.
Palmer struck it cleanly, sending the ball fizzing and dipping with venom towards Sels’ left post. Last weekend, when everything he touched turned to goals, it may have dropped in. On Sunday, it dropped narrowly wide.
