Cole Palmer proved to be a pivotal figure on Sunday evening as his double helped Chelsea secure a 4-3 win over Tottenham. Trailing 2-1 at the break after Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski had given Tottenham an early lead, Chelsea hit back in the second half with three goals to up the pressure on league leaders Liverpool.
Firstly restoring parity from the penalty spot, Palmer calmly sent Fraser Forster the wrong way from 12 yards. The England international was then key to Enzo Fernandez's strike in the 73rd minute that turned the game on its head.
Picking the ball up on Chelsea's right flank, Palmer was surrounded by Destiny Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr and Micky van de Ven, but managed to find a way past the Tottenham trio. His attempt took a deflection off Van de Ven and it fell kindly for Enzo just inside the box to volley home and give Chelsea the lead.
Palmer was then to win Chelsea a second penalty of the day after drawing a foul from Sarr, with Chelsea's No.20 again stepping up and this time producing a Panenka penalty to make it four for the visitors. It came as no surprise to see all waxing lyrical about the youngster immediately after the game as he once again played a monumental role in his team securing all three points.
Now on 11 goals and six assists from his first 17 games this season, Chelsea's opponents always come into games looking to nullify Palmer and ensure he has no say on proceedings. Speaking to the media after the game, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca revealed that Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham had given Yves Bissouma the job of man-marking the 22-year-old but the Blues ace was to have the last laugh.
"Since we started, I have not seen Cole shooting penalties," explained the Italian when asked if his player practices penalties. "In terms of the second penalty, he's Cole. He's Cole.
"The good thing about him tonight was Bissouma was marking him man-to-man, so he needs to learn how to play against a team that goes man-to-man with him, but he was fantastic. His pressing, his work off the ball. Nico [Jackson], Cole and the two wingers."
In regards to Bissouma who was given the job of man-marking Palmer, it was a game to forget for the Tottenham midfielder after needlessly fouling Moises Caicedo in the area for Palmer's first goal of the day. Taking to Instagram after the game, Bissouma apologised to all for his mistake and admitted that he takes "all the responsibility" for his critical error.
"I'm so sad for that mistake. It's burning me because we lost the game today from this mistake," he penned. "I feel sorry for my teammates, staff, and fans. I take all the responsibility for that one.
"I'll learn from this one. It's time now to show the real me. Thanks for all the support."