Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers speak to James Trafford after Chelsea's win over Leeds United
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers speak to James Trafford(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA)
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Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers both more than played their part in Chelsea's dramatic victory over Leeds United. Who was more crucial? That's something the two best friends disagree over.
Rogers recorded four assists with the Blues scoring six second-half goals in a thrilling comeback against the Whites. Palmer scored twice in the win at Stamford Bridge and was given the official Player of the Match award by Sky Sports.
As is tradition, Sky Sports interviews two players from the same team, with one of them handing over the PotM trophy to their colleague. Rogers, though, was adamant it should have been Palmer giving it to him.
"Unfortunately, yeah," replied Rogers when asked if he would do the honours of presenting Palmer with the award. "It's rigged, honestly, it's rigged."
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Before the interview started, the Sky Sports cameras caught Rogers venting about not being given the award himself: "I got four assists!
"Nah, nah, nah, I can't believe that. That is mental. He scored a pen! Nah, that's mental. Nah, that is criminal."
That was on Wednesday night and the argument has continued into Thursday. Rogers did receive the Star of the Match award from Chelsea, who put a photo of the 24-year-old on the club's official Instagram page to give him his flowers.
Palmer commented: "???", before Rogers responded with: "the fans know".
Morgan Rogers' and Cole Palmer's exchange on Instagram
Morgan Rogers' and Cole Palmer's exchange on Instagram
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It's all in good spirits. Xabi Alonso won't be too concerned with who is picking up such awards, just as long as the Chelsea duo are firing in front of goal.
It has been some start to the season for the pair. Palmer has scored four goals and picked up one assist in five appearances in all competitions, while Rogers has bagged twice and has now provided four assists in those five games.
Palmer and Rogers inspired Chelsea's Carabao Cup third round win over Leeds but the match did not go as planned for Alonso. The duo were left on the bench with Alonso keen to rest them for Saturday afternoon's Premier League fixture with Hull City, but the Blues found themselves a goal down at half-time.
Alonso then summoned the pair, along with Reece James and Pedro Neto, and eventually, after going two goals down not long after the quartet were introduced, Chelsea won 6-3 in west London.
Speaking to reporters post-match, Alonso said: "There will be moments for everything. I prefer not to be too categorical about just the first half of the second half, that is gonna be always like that for the level of the performance, collectively and individually.
"I take the context, I take my own decisions, my responsibility for that, and now, we've gone through, and now, it's Hull and Brentford before the international break. We want to finish up there with more points, and from tomorrow, we start preparing."