There are hardly any defensemen who have come up with an answer to this question in recent weeks: how do you stop Cole Palmer? The now two-time England international scored against Newcastle United on March 11 and then against Leicester City in the FA Cup tournament and in the Premier League games against Burnley and Manchester United. In particular, his three goals in the 4-3 win over Manchester United – the last two in the 100th and 101st minutes – will be remembered for a long time.

Last week against Sheffield United, Palmer fell short of the target, but after a brilliant link-up with Nicholas Jackson, it was again a party for the 21-year-old Englishman on Monday night. His 1-0 against Everton proved to be just the start of another superb display from Cole Palmer. In the 18th and 29th minutes he completed his hat trick and set Stamford Bridge on fire.

Palmer set a nice club record with his goals. He is now the first Chelsea player to score in a Premier League game in seven consecutive home games at Stamford Bridge. With 20 goals to his name, he is now joint top scorer in the Premier League with Erling Haaland.

Jackson made Everton’s misery even worse just before half-time, making it 4-0, after which the final decision again fell to Palmer in the 64th minute. He converted a penalty to make it 5-0 with his 20th Premier League goal of the season.

To be allowed to take that penalty, he literally had to fight his teammates. Jackson and former PSV player Noni Madueke arrived after the hat-trick and claimed the penalty. There was even some pushing and pulling. Captain Conor Gallagher had to split the game and he got the call: Palmer was allowed to score his fourth of the night. Madueke and Jackson left angrily.

Watch the Chelsea penalty incident here

Manager Mauricio Pochettino watched the incident from the sidelines in bewilderment. “It’s a shame, it’s a shame,” he grumbled to Sky Sports afterwards. “We cannot behave like this. I told them that this is the last time I will accept this kind of behavior. Next time I’ll take it all off. And I mean, after a show like that it’s impossible to show that kind of behavior.

“If we want to be a big team fighting for big things, we have to be a collective. I made it clear to the fans and everyone today that Cole Palmer is the penalty taker. If Palmer wants to give the ball to someone else, that’s up to him. But what happened here is not possible.”

After replacing Palmer ten minutes from time, he watched from the sidelines as Alfie Gilchrist made it 6-0. That’s what the Blues stand for now ninth on 47 points, just three behind Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United, who have played a game more.

Everton are sixteenth on 27 points, but the Toffees have formally appealed against being deducted two points for breaching profitability and sustainability rules.