Cole Palmer Ends Goal Drought in Chelsea's 3-1 Victory Over Liverpool

Chelsea's Cole Palmer ended an 18-game, three-month goal drought by scoring a stoppage-time penalty in a 3-1 victory over Premier League champions Liverpool, a win that boosts Chelsea's hopes for Champions League qualification. Palmer, who had been under scrutiny for his lack of scoring, dismissed criticism from social media 'idiots' and expressed pride in helping his team, emphasizing his mental resilience and motivation to keep improving. Coach Enzo Maresca praised Palmer's unique ability to do the unexpected and highlighted his consistency and value to the squad. Liverpool, fielding a much-changed lineup under Arne Slot, suffered only their third league defeat of the season, with captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledging Chelsea's deserved win. Despite Liverpool's late fightback, Chelsea's strong team performance and Palmer's return to form were decisive. The win puts Chelsea level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle, intensifying the race for Champions League spots.