Cole Palmer scores stunning free kick as Chelsea and Brighton produce craziest half of football this season

Cole Palmer's free kick was the pick of the strikes as Chelsea and Brighton shared six goals during a manic first half at Stamford Bridge.

Fabian Hurzeler's side took a seventh-minute lead through Georginio Rutter, but the drama certainly didn't end there.

Palmer equalised for the Blues on 21 minutes, before Jadon Sancho had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR just three minutes later.

It then took another three minutes before Chelsea won a penalty, which Palmer converted for his second goal of the game.

The Blues number 20 then sealed another hat-trick - and his third goal was something out of the very top drawer.

Chelsea won a free kick from 25 yards out, which Palmer perfectly arrowed over the wall with his right foot.

The ball flew into the top right corner, with Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen getting a fingertip to it but being unable to keep it out.

Premier League

Premier League

Astonishingly, Palmer then scored a fourth goal at Stamford Bridge before the half-time whistle, with Brighton simply unable to cope with him.

The 22-year-old is carrying on from his incredible 2023/24 campaign, which saw him score 22 goals and set up a further 11 in the Premier League.

In five-and-a-half games this season, Palmer already has six goals to his name as well as four assists.

Earlier this year, Palmer signed a contract extension at Stamford Bridge to keep him at the club until 2033.

The contract is believed to be one of the longest ever signed in professional football, and is the joint-longest in Premier League history alongside his team-mate Nicolas Jackson's deal.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website after signing, Palmer said: "I'm delighted to sign this new deal.

"I achieved a lot in my first season here and hopefully I can continue to experience great things at this club, both on a personal level and in terms of bringing success and trophies to Chelsea."

More to follow...