Cole Palmer has put on an unstoppable display with a perfect first-half hat-trick and a fourth in the second half as Chelsea demolished Everton 6-0 in the English Premier League.
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Palmer scored with his left foot, head and right foot in the 13th, 19th and 29th minutes on Tuesday (AEST) to become the first Chelsea player to score in seven successive home games.
The Manchester City reject stroked home a superb first from just outside the box and nodded in the second from close range after Jordan Pickford could only parry Nicolas Jackson's shot.
His third was a wonderful 35-yard lob after Pickford needlessly gifted him possession.
Nicolas Jackson added a fourth a minute before halftime and Palmer made it 5-0 from the penalty spot in the 64th, but only after an argument over who should take it involving Jackson and Noni Madueke.
"Other players wanted to take it, which is understandable as it's 4-0, but I'm the penalty taker and I took it," Palmer said.
"It shows everyone wants to take responsibility. Maybe it was over the top the arguing."
Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino said he would not stand for a repeat performance of the squabbling over who takes penalties.
"It's a shame. We cannot behave in this way. I told them this is the last time for this type of behaviour," he told Sky Sports.
"I made it clear to them - and I am making it clear to to the fans - that Cole Palmer is the taker.
"It's a really sad situation and I don't want to accept it happens again."
Substitute Alfie Gilchrist's first goal for the club made it six in added time.
Palmer's goals took his season's tally to 20 in the league, tied with Manchester City's Erling Haaland.
The result extended a depressing few days for Everton. Just hours before kick-off, the club lodged an appeal against a two-point deduction for a second breach of the Premier League financial rules.
The Premier League said they intend to deliver a verdict before the last round of matches on May 19 "for clarity and certainty for all clubs and fans."
Everton were docked two points last week for overspending in a three-year spell up to the end of the 2022-23 season. It was a second deduction this season for the Toffees, who had six points removed -- reduced from 10 following an appeal -- for breaching spending limits from 2019-20 to the 2021-22 season.
The Merseysiders sit in 16th place, only two points and two places above the relegation zone.
After running their unbeaten streak to eight, Chelsea are in ninth place, only one point behind West Ham United. Chelsea have two games in hand over the Hammers.
With PA.
Australian Associated Press
