Cole Palmer Shines in Chelsea's Victory Over Fulham

Cole Palmer has opened the new campaign exactly where he left off – at the centre of everything Chelsea do well.

The 22-year-old has been voted Player of the Matchweek for Matchweek 1 after a commanding performance in Chelsea’s 3-2 west London derby win over Fulham at Craven Cottage, a display that carried both flair and authority.

Palmer set the tone early. He slipped in Joao Pedro for the opener, carving Fulham open and giving Chelsea the perfect start in hostile territory. When the game began to tilt and the derby threatened to turn frantic, he steadied it again. At the start of the second half, Palmer struck what proved to be the winner, the decisive moment in a five-goal contest.

The numbers back up what the eye test screamed. Palmer attempted five shots, more than any of his team-mates. He took nine touches inside the Fulham box, constantly probing, constantly available. He won 10 duels, showing he was willing to fight as much as finesse, and recovered possession seven times – again, the highest Chelsea figure in each category.

The pressure Fulham tried to apply kept breaking on the same rock: Palmer, dropping in, drifting wide, popping up between the lines, dragging Chelsea forward.

Supporters across the league noticed. Palmer collected 40 per cent of the fans’ vote for Player of the Matchweek, comfortably clear of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who finished second on 22 per cent.

It is Palmer’s first Player of the Matchweek award since Matchweek 25 of last season, when he tore into Wolverhampton Wanderers with a hat-trick in a 3-1 win. Different opponent, different stadium, same outcome – Palmer walking away as the standout act.

If this is a sign of how he intends to shape Chelsea’s season, Matchweek 1 may be just the opening chapter.