EPL: Palmer scores as Chelsea beat Everton to end winless run 

EPL: Palmer scores as Chelsea beat Everton to end winless run

England international Cole Palmer scored his first goal since September as Chelsea ended a four-match winless run with a 2–0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old forward, who has been managing a groin injury that sidelined him for more than two months, opened the scoring after 21 minutes in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Palmer was left out of the squad for Chelsea’s midweek defeat to Atalanta as his fitness continued to be carefully managed, but he was deemed fit to start against David Moyes’ Everton and made an immediate impact in his first Stamford Bridge start in almost four months.

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Right-back Malo Gusto, who provided the assist for Palmer’s opener, doubled Chelsea’s advantage just before half-time.

Everton had dominated the opening 20 minutes, with Iliman Ndiaye testing the Chelsea defence twice and James Garner also going close. However, Palmer, aptly nicknamed “Cold”, settled the hosts after a difficult start to December that had included defeats to Leeds and Atalanta, as well as a draw at Bournemouth.

Played in behind the Everton defence by Gusto, Palmer took a touch before sending goalkeeper Jordan Pickford the wrong way with a composed finish into the near post.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca insisted his side were stronger with Palmer back in the team.

“We’ve said many times that with Cole we are a better team,” Maresca told the BBC. “Unfortunately, he was out for many games, but now he’s back, and for sure he will help us.”

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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