Incredibly, United led in the 99th minute and appeared to be heading for a vital three points in their chase for Champions League football. But Palmer – a boyhood United fan – struck a penalty before scoring again moments later, with his second strike coming in the 101st minute at Stamford Bridge.
The final goal completed a first senior hat-trick for the 21-year-old. Palmer took the matchball and had each of his team-mates sign the memento of his big day.
However, one colleague – who is not identifiable – has jokingly written “s*** player” on the ball. It is unclear if Palmer had noticed the insult as he showed off the ball to his 1.8million Instagram followers, with the message on full display.
In a thrilling Premier League clash, Palmer’s first-half penalty handed Chelsea 2-0 lead in the first half. But goals by Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes levelled the scoreline before half-time.
Garnacho struck again in the second half as United appeared to be heading for a 3-2 triumph. But Palmer scored again from the spot in the 100th minute before thrashing home a deflected strike within 60 seconds.
“Crazy game,” Palmer reflected afterwards.”When the eight minutes got added on, it gave us a lift. Madness. I didn’t know what to do. I was running round when I scored. To win like that, there is nothing better.”
Chelsea’s victory eases the pressure on under-fire head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine was in no doubt about Palmer’s standing within the game.
“One of the best skills is his mentality and his capacity to deal with the pressure,” Pochettino said of Palmer, who now has 16 Premier League goals in a fine debut season with Chelsea.
