Chelsea hotshot Cole Palmer broke a 23-year-old club goalscoring record set by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the Blues' shock 2-1 Premier League defeat to West London derby rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's hopes of pipping Liverpool to Premier League glory suffered an unexpected blow in the English capital, where Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz cancelled out a fine Palmer opener.
The former Manchester City man struggled to make his presence felt in last weekend's goalless draw with Everton, but he broke the deadlock on Boxing Day with a sublime slice of individual skill.
After taking the ball in his stride from Levi Colwill's pass, Palmer spotted the space to charge into and did so, skipping past a couple of white shirts in the process and finding a gap in between Issa Diop's legs.
The England international's crisp side-footed strike gently glided into the bottom corner beyond Bernd Leno's reach, which was his 12th goal of the season and the 26th he has struck in 2024.
Palmer surpasses Hasselbaink feat in Fulham loss
© Imago
Palmer now has more Premier League goals for Chelsea in one calendar year than any other player, overtaking the 25 that Hasselbaink managed for the Blues back in 2001.
A few others had tried and failed to dethrone Hasselbaink after he hit his quarter of a century 23 years ago, as Frank Lampard banked 20 Premier League efforts for Chelsea in 2005.
Diego Costa went one better in 2016 with 21 top-flight efforts, while Didier Drogba had 22 to his name in 2010, but Palmer now sits in a league of his own atop the standings.
The former Man City playmaker's start was a momentous one, as he was named in a Premier League first XI for the 50th time, and he has has amassed a marvellous 52 direct goal contributions in that time.
Only two players have come up with more involvements in their first 50 Premier League starts, as Manchester City's Erling Haaland managed 64, and Andy Cole registered 57 combined goals and assists.
Palmer offers reaction to shock Fulham loss
© IconSport
Palmer's individual achievement will offer the 22-year-old little consolation after a scarcely believable home loss, one which saw Fulham win a league game at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1979.
The Chelsea playmaker doubled down on his and manager Enzo Maresca's claim that the Blues are not genuine contenders for the Premier League title, telling Amazon Prime Video: "We knew we weren't going to win every game.
"It is the manager's first season with us. We are learning. Everyone said from the start we aren't title contenders. We are just getting better as a team and growing.
"First half we played well and controlled the game and had quite a few chances. Second half we lost a bit of control. They're a good transition team and like to run direct, we got caught up in their game and paid the price."
Chelsea remain four points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table having played two more games than the Reds, and the Blues close out 2024 away to Ipswich Town on Monday evening.
Ben Knapton
