[Source: Reuters]

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer scored four goals, including a hat-trick in the first 30 minutes, as they hammered Everton 6-0 to maintain their push for a European berth and leave the ragged visitors still hovering above the relegation zone.

Palmer clipped in his first after 13 minutes, headed a second after 18 then cleverly chipped in a third after intercepting goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s clearance.

Nicolas Jackson made it 4-0 just before halftime, then Palmer, who got a hat-trick in the 4-3 home win over Manchester United on April 4, converted a penalty after 64 minutes having had to wrestle the ball from bickering team mates.

That took him alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland at the top of the Premier League scoring charts with 20, while his tally of 23 in all competitions makes him the first Chelsea player to reach the 20-mark since Eden Hazard in 2018/19.

Chelsea were in total command at Stamford Bridge and young substitute Alfie Gilchrist smashed home their sixth goal in the final minute moments after coming on.

Chelsea remain ninth on 47 points with games in hand on all the teams above them, while Everton stay 16th on 27, two places and two points above the relegation zone.