On a brisk Saturday afternoon at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans were treated to a sight they’d been craving for months: Cole Palmer, back in the starting lineup, orchestrating play and finding the back of the net. The Blues’ 2-0 Premier League win over Everton on December 13, 2025, wasn’t just a routine victory—it marked the long-awaited return to form for one of English football’s most exciting talents, whose absence had been sorely felt both in west London and among England’s faithful.
Palmer, making his first home league start since August, wasted no time in reminding everyone of his quality. In the 21st minute, after an intricate exchange involving Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto, the 23-year-old darted into the Everton penalty area and coolly slid the ball past Jordan Pickford. That goal not only broke the deadlock but ended a personal drought stretching back to September 17, and, remarkably, was his first from open play at Stamford Bridge in 333 days.
The roar from the stands was deafening. Even before kickoff, Palmer’s name had drawn the loudest cheers when the teams were announced—a clear sign of just how much the supporters missed their talisman. When he was substituted around the hour mark, the entire stadium rose to its feet for a standing ovation, a gesture not lost on Palmer or his teammates.
“I wouldn’t say I’m at my best yet. I’m still dealing with an injury,” Palmer revealed to BBC’s Match of the Day. “Hopefully, it gets better and better but there’s still a bit to go. It is getting better. The stuff I’ve been doing with the physios at the club. It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon. Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”
His caution is understandable. Palmer’s season has been plagued by a persistent groin strain and a fractured toe—ironically sustained by stubbing his foot on a door at home. After missing the last two games of August and spending two-and-a-half months on the sidelines, he only made his first start since September in last weekend’s goalless draw with Bournemouth. The road back has been anything but straightforward.
Yet, despite the setbacks, Palmer’s impact was immediate. Malo Gusto, who notched the assist for Palmer’s opener, turned scorer himself just before halftime, doubling Chelsea’s lead and effectively sealing the points. The Blues’ defense, marshaled by Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah, held firm, earning a clean sheet that was as much a testament to their resurgence as it was to goalkeeper Robert Sánchez’s sharp form.
Fofana, who played the full 90 minutes, was effusive in his praise for Palmer, even drawing comparisons to some of the game’s biggest stars. “He is a star, he is the best player on the team,” Fofana told reporters. “When he is on the pitch, he is a different player. Everyone sees tonight, he just played 50 minutes but all the stadium and all the fans see he is very important for the team. We are very happy he is back and hopefully he can stay fit and try to help the team.”
Fofana went even further, saying, “He is close with the guys like Mbappe and Dembele. He is very, very close. I play with very good players for the national team and play against very good players. He is top. He is on a different planet and we are very happy to have him with us.”
Such accolades didn’t stop there. Former Chelsea captain John Terry, speaking on his social media channel, declared, “I’m not sure there’s anyone better in world football playing in the No. 10 role. If there is, Palmer certainly gives them a run for their money. He’s so brave, constantly on the half turn trying to get in those little pockets. It’s a defender’s nightmare when you come up against a player like that. I was delighted to see him back in the starting line-up and delighted to see him score.”
For Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, Palmer’s return was a welcome boost after what he described as “the worst 48 hours” since taking over last summer—a cryptic reference to the pressure and lack of support leading up to the Everton clash. Still, Maresca was quick to temper expectations, especially regarding Palmer’s fitness and availability for upcoming fixtures. “At this moment, he can’t play,” the Italian told BBC when asked about Palmer’s chances of featuring in the looming Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City. “We said many times with Cole we are a better team. Unfortunately, he was out for many games for us, but now he’s back and for sure he will help us.”
Palmer himself isn’t looking too far ahead, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and England manager Thomas Tuchel watching from the stands. “I’ve not been looking too far ahead to be honest,” Palmer admitted. “I’ve been injured for three months, I just need to get back to full fitness. I know what I can offer when I’m fully fit so hopefully I get there soon.”
The context surrounding Palmer’s comeback makes his performance all the more impressive. Last season, he netted 15 league goals and 22 the campaign before, quickly establishing himself as the creative heartbeat of the Blues. His absence this term coincided with a patchy run of form for Chelsea, whose ambitions of returning to the Champions League hinge on the availability of their No.10.
And it’s not just the attack that’s benefiting. Chelsea’s defense, anchored by Fofana and Chalobah, has quietly become one of the league’s more reliable units, with Fofana helping the team to five clean sheets in his last seven appearances. The squad’s depth and Maresca’s rotation policy have kept players fresh, a necessity amid a crowded fixture list.
Everton manager David Moyes was gracious in defeat, acknowledging that Palmer’s quality in front of goal was the decisive factor. “The quality of Palmer’s finishing was the key difference between the two teams,” Moyes said, as his own side rued missed opportunities.
Looking ahead, Chelsea’s schedule doesn’t let up. After the midweek EFL Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City—where Palmer is unlikely to feature—they face Newcastle away, then host Aston Villa and Bournemouth to close out the year. The hope around Stamford Bridge is that with Palmer gradually regaining fitness, Chelsea can recapture their early-season momentum and keep pace in both domestic and European competitions.
For now, though, the story belongs to Palmer. His cool finish and measured return have warmed the hearts of Chelsea fans and reignited hopes of a bright finish to the season. If he can stay fit, the Blues may yet have plenty to cheer about as 2025 draws to a close.
