Cole Palmer equals Chelsea Premier League record in Brighton & Hove Albion win

Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer equalled a club record in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

The England international opened the scoring in the 34th minute when he met Marc Cucurella's driven cross to steer his header past the outstretched Bart Verbruggen.

Palmer's strike gave Chelsea a narrow half-time lead, before Christopher Nkunku scored his third Premier League goal of the season to double the visitors' advantage.

The Blues were forced to overcome some late adversity in the form of a Reece James red card and a Danny Welbeck strike, but they managed to hold on to claim a fourth consecutive victory for the first time since October 2022.

As a result of their fine form, Mauricio Pochettino's side are now in sixth place and on the brink of securing Europa League qualification.

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Palmer equal goalscoring record

In the process of giving Chelsea a crucial lead, Palmer equalled Chelsea's Premier League record for the most openers scored by a player in a single campaign.

The headed effort represented the ninth time that he had opened the scoring in the top flight this season, moving him level with three Chelsea greats.

Gianfranco Zola scored nine openers in 1998-99, while Didier Drogba achieved the feat in 2006-07 on his way to claiming the Golden Boot with 20 goals.

Before Palmer, Eden Hazard was the most recent Chelsea player to equal the record when he broke the deadlock on nine occasions during the 2014-15 Premier League season.

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Palmer enjoying productive first season at Stamford Bridge

Palmer has now scored 22 goals in 33 top-flight appearances since joining Chelsea from Manchester City last summer.

As a result, he is sitting in second place in the Premier League scoring charts, with two goals more than third-placed Alexander Isak and five goals adrift of the league's leading scorer Erling Haaland.

Only two Chelsea players have ever scored more goals in a single Premier League campaign – Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Drogba.

Hasselbaink registered 23 goals in both 2000-01 and 2001-02, while Drogba racked up 29 goals to fire Chelsea to the 2009-10 Premier League title.