CHELSEA
Cole Palmer sends message to Manchester City fans with post-match interview
The Chelsea forward scored an injury time equaliser to secure a well-earned point against his former club.
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer struck a blow against his former club, converting a late penalty to equalise against Manchester City.
Manchester-born Palmer joined the Man City academy at the age of eight and progressed through the ranks. He made 41 first team appearances for the club but opted to move to Premier League rivals Chelsea over the summer.
The 21-year-old has become a key player in this new-look Chelsea side and came back to haunt his former team on Sunday. Palmer played 90 minutes and scored a 95th-minute penalty against City.
After the game Palmer admitted that coming up against his boyhood club was an odd experience.
He said: “Very strange, first time I played against City. I have great respect for the club I spent 15 years at. Great to see some friends. But we were unlucky not to get the win.”
Asked if he might have annoyed any City-supporting friends, Palmer added: “Yeah probably, I’ve got many City fans that I know. But that’s the game.”
Why does Cole Palmer take penalties for Chelsea?
The 21-year-old levelled things with a high-pressure spot kick, the fourth penalty that he has scored since moving to Chelsea in August. The youngster has become Chelsea’s first choice penalty taker this season despite his young age.
Palmer was asked about that responsibility after the game and he revealed that he does not practice penalties.
“I felt confident, I’ve had a few now,” he said. “I kept focused. I won’t say I work on penalties, because I don’t. I just trust my ability.”
Sunday’s win was an important one for Chelsea and it caps an unlikely-looking six-point week for Mauricio Pochettino’s men. On Monday Chelsea emerged victorious from a chaotic game against Tottenham Hotspur and they end the week with a win against the reigning European champions.