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Football pundit Gary Lineker has waxed lyrical about Cole Palmer’s performance in Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, December 8, in the Premier League. Palmer was impressive once again for the Blues, keeping his composure twice from the spot to help them complete a comeback victory.
Enzo Maresca’s trailed early on at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs punished two mistakes by Marc Cucurella to take a 2-0 lead. The Blues, however, halved the deficit before the break through Jadon Sancho.
Cole Palmer leveled the scores with a spot-kick in the 61st minute and was instrumental in Chelsea’s third goal, scored by Enzo Fernandez. The England forward took on several Spurs players and then attempted a shot that deflected to Fernandez, who rifled home. Palmer scored another penalty in the 84th minute to seal the result. He consequently won the MOTM award for his heroics in the match.
Gary Lineker was in awe of Palmer's performance and likened him to Lionel Messi. He said on The Rest is Football podcast (via Football365):
“Chelsea really dominated to be honest. Spurs still had the odd chance on the counter attack, but Cole Palmer. The little assist that he got, he came in from the touchline, it was almost Messi-esque. And then he scored two penalties, the second was a little Panenka which was beautifully taken. What a talent.”
Palmer has scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 17 appearances for the Blues this season.
Gabriel Agbonlahor names three Chelsea players, including Cole Palmer, in Premier League Team of the Week
Apart from Gary Lineker, former Aston Villa player Gabriel Agbonlahor also rated Palmer's performance against Spurs highly and included him in his Premier League team of the week.
Besides Cole Palmer, he also included Chelsea's Jadon Sancho and Enzo Fernandez. The former Villa forward made his pick during his weekly segment on talkSPORT.
On Enzo Fernandez, he said:
“The next one is Enzo Fernandez. Quiet opening 15-20 minutes, but he grew into the game. Just getting into little spaces. He’s better playing further forward than playing as a sitter. Scored a fantastic volley, left foot. I just feel that he was really the energy behind that midfield… Enzo Fernandez is really finding his feet now, and he knows he has to put in performances like this. He has to get goals and assists. £100m footballer, and he’s starting to repay Chelsea for the big money.”
He said about Sancho:
“Jadon Sancho found it tough in recent years, but he’s got a manager that trusts him and has faith in him. He’s taken his chance… Sancho looks calm and collected. He’s dribbling at speed. His goal, that’s the Sancho we know, dribbling at speed inside, smashes it into the bottom corner off the post. All game he was a threat. His ball retention was very good.”
Agbonlahor gushed over Palmer, saying:
“This guy Cole Palmer, another who had a slow start but grew into the game. For Enzo Fernandez’s goal, the way he dribbled inside past [Destiny] Udogie, it was like he wasn’t there… His two penalties as well. The second one is takes courage to do a dink when you’re only winning by one goal in the game. His all-round game, he’s Mr Chelsea at the moment.”
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Edited by Arshit Garg