Cole Palmer scored a first-half hat-trick as Chelsea defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 at Molineux Stadium on February 7, 2026. This performance marked him as the first player in Premier League history to achieve three first-half hat-tricks.
Historic Achievement
Palmer opened the scoring with a penalty after Matt Doherty fouled Joao Pedro. He added a second penalty following another foul on Pedro. Then he fired the ball into the roof of the net from a Marc Cucurella cutback just before the 38th minute. These goals secured the win for Chelsea.
Match Breakdown
Wolves responded in the second half when Tolu Arokodare scored from a set piece. However Chelsea held firm and missed further chances to extend the lead. The Blues climbed to fifth in the league table after the victory.
Palmer’s Reflections
Palmer reflected on his fitness afterward. He said, “I don’t think I’m 100 per cent fit just yet. Being injured the whole season is not ideal, but hopefully I can get over the injury soon.” He added, “When I’m back to full fitness I feel like I can go to another level.”
Additionally, on his celebration, Palmer stated, “Everyone loves to chat rubbish, don’t they? I don’t pay too much attention to it.”
Managerial Praise
Liam Rosenior, Chelsea manager, praised the team. He said, “Cole loves playing football. I love watching. When their mentality is right, they’re an outstanding group.” Rob Edwards, Wolves manager, acknowledged Palmer’s talent. He remarked, “I’m not sure I like Palmer very much! He’s a special footballer.”
Previous Feats
Palmer previously netted first-half hat-tricks against Everton in April 2024 and Brighton in September 2024. Against Brighton, he scored four goals in the first half, another record. These feats surpassed Chelsea legends like Didier Drogba in hat-trick counts.
