COLE PALMER’S stunning goal against Wolves should NOT have stood – but VAR was unable to intervene due a little-known rule.
The Chelsea star scored a worldie on Sunday as his side cruised to a 6-2 win at Molineux.
Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring after just two minutes in the Midlands.
While Noni Madueke netted a hat-trick in the thrashing, with all three goals laid on by Palmer.
And there was also a strike for Joao Felix on his second Chelsea debut with an assist from ex-Wolves star Pedro Neto.
But Palmer’s goal was the pick of the bunch as he capitalised on a mistake from Jose Sa.
The stopper was well off his line when Palmer received a headed ball from Jackson to his feet.
Chelsea’s key man did not hesitate to pull the trigger as he beautifully lobbed the retreating Sa.
And fans reacted by declaring it was already a contender for Goal of the Season.
However, eagle-eyed fans have since spotted that Palmer’s goal should not have stood at all.
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That’s after beIN SPORTS showed evidence that the “pre-assist” pass from goalie Robert Sanchez to Jackson was illegal.
The Spaniard fired out a great long pass to his striker after a restart.
But slow-motion footage showed that the ball was still rolling when Sanchez launched his goal kick.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS, host Richard Keys said: “It’s rolling. Strictly speaking it should be disallowed.”
Technically, that meant play should have been restarted, thereby preventing Palmer from netting his wonder strike.
And Chelsea were saved thanks to a little-known rule that VAR officials do not check restarts as part of their protocol.
As Palmer’s strike came from an onside position, with Jackson also in front of Wolves’ defence, officials at Stockley Park had no reason to rule it out.
And only intervention at the time from referee Darren England could have prevented play from continuing towards Jackson and Palmer.
NONI MADUEKE bagged himself a second-half hat-trick courtesy of Cole Palmer as Chelsea fired to a 6-2 victory away at Wolves.
Palmer’s three assists and first half strike capped off a wonderful afternoon for the England ace and a game that at times resembled a basketball match.
Here’s how SunSports’ Katherine Walsh rated the Blues stars…
Robert Sanchez – 7/10
Solid display. Held firm and kept Wolves at bay in the first half.
Brilliant long ball distribution cross-pitch to Jackson who assisted Palmer’s goal and Chelsea’s second.
Malo Gusto – 5
Out of position for Matheus Cunha’s 26th minute equaliser and didn’t get forward enough.
Failed to have an influence on the game after a quieter second 45 minutes from Wolves.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Had his back to goal for Wolves’ second equaliser before half-time.
The ball had been guided in by a free-kick and Jorgen Strand-Larsen cleverly guided it home with his right foot.
Levi Colwill – 6
Not a particularly noticeable performance from the 21-year-old in a positive or negative sense.
Suppose it was a solid showing but was also caught ball watching for Cunha’s goal.
Pulled Cucurella away from the third brawl of the match.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Worked hard and found himself centre of multiple fights with Wolves players throughout the 90.
Solid as ever, needing to be alert with Wolves lethal in the first half.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Quiet afternoon for the midfielder. Didn’t do much right or wrong.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Often in the right place at the right time after clearing two Wolves’ attempts from inside the box.
Battled to win the ball for Madueke’s third goal and frequently recovered possession for the visitors.
Cole Palmer – 9
A brilliant goal and THREE assists finished off a sensational performance from the No10 position.
Somehow managed to outshine hat-trick scorer Madueke after providing all of his goals. His own notch came against the run of play just after receiving a yellow.
Picked up the ball 20 yards from goal after a long Sanchez kick and lobbed Wolves keeper Jose Sa just when the visitors were hanging on.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 4
Enzo Marseca said he needed time and coaching to get his Chelsea career on track. But failed to make an impact against Wolves.
Didn’t notice him being shipped off at half-time for former Wolves star Pedro Neto.
Noni Madueke – 9
The star man scored THREE in the second half after bagging against Servette on Thursday.
Chelsea’s best player in the first half. The young winger has bundles of ability and energy.
Looked lively and won several free-kicks in promising positions.
Worth a note that he silenced the home fans who were heavily booing him throughout after his social media comments earlier today.
Nicolas Jackson – 8
Opened the scoring with a post header inside two minutes.
But let himself down with silly antics while arguing with Cunha twice.
Most non-penalty goals for Chelsea in the Premier League since the start of last season: 15.
And assisted Palmer’s brilliant goal and Chelsea’s second.
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Pedro Neto 7
Put a shift in after coming on at half-time on his first return to the Molineux.
Bagged himself an assist in the 80th minute.
Joao Felix – 7
Scored on his Chelsea 2023/24 debut after joining from Atletico Madrid for £42.6m.
Combined with other new signing Neto for the goal.
Christopher Nkunku – N/A
Renato Veiga – N/A
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – N/A
