Palmer scores on return but insists he is still short of peak form

Cole Palmer
December 2025

Cole Palmer ended a three month goal drought with a sharp finish in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Everton, helping lift the Blues into fourth place, yet the playmaker insisted he is still short of his best as he continues managing an ongoing injury. Palmer told Match of the Day he is progressing day by day with physios and must avoid doing too much too soon, while Enzo Maresca repeated Chelsea are a better team with him, praising Reece James and Malo Gusto for helping secure the clean sheet.