Having been rested for our midweek Carabao Cup win over Barrow, Cole was restored to the starting XI for the visit of the Seagulls this afternoon. He needed just 45 minutes to make a match-winning contribution.

After Chelsea had fallen behind, the England international levelled the contest when he swept home a finish after being teed up by Nicolas Jackson.

Palmer's second goal arrived seven minutes later from the penalty spot after Jadon Sancho had been felled in the Brighton penalty area. That put the Blues ahead for the first time.

Chances continued to be created by the Blues and just after the half-hour mark, Cole completed his hat-trick in stunning fashion. The 22-year-old stepped up from 25 yards and whipped an inch-perfect free-kick into the top corner.

Cole didn't let up despite having a third Chelsea treble in the bag. Shortly before half time, he was slipped behind the Brighton defence by Sancho and lashed a shot toward the near post and beyond Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

And with that goal, Palmer became the first player in Premier League history to score four times in the opening 45 minutes.

'There are not many players like Cole Palmer in the Premier League, he is special,' conceded Fabian Hurzeler at full-time. The Brighton head coach is not wrong.

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