Chelsea recorded their fourth win in a row in all competitions on Saturday by beating Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2.
There was no battle for the man of the match award as Cole Palmer stole the show by scoring four goals, all in the first half.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca called Palmer the ‘best player in the Premier League’ after the match.
Both of Brighton’s goals also came before half-time, with Georginio Rutter and Carlos Baleba getting on the scoresheet.
KIERAN GILL took his notebook to Stamford Bridge and jotted down four observations for Mail Sport.
Manager Enzo Maresca applauded during his Chelsea team’s 4-2 win over Brighton
Keown was perfect
Martin Keown wrote in his column on Saturday that Brighton had to be wary of their high defensive line because if anyone could exploit that space at the back it was Chelsea.
How right he was. Time and time again passes were played into that area for Cole Palmer and Co to collect.
Fabian Hurzeler is clearly a talented coach and has remained unbeaten until this visit to Stamford Bridge.
But Chelsea showed Brighton’s upcoming opponents how to beat the 31-year-old’s system here.
Everyone else now has the blueprint to victory, and their next opponents Tottenham are blessed with speedy attackers who would love the chance to stretch their legs like Chelsea did.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler saw his system malfunction at Stamford Bridge on Saturday
Palmer responds to Brighton’s chants
Brighton fans came armed with a repertoire of chants aimed at their old flames, but still had not forgiven Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez for ditching them for Chelsea.
“Sanchez again, ole ole,” they sang when he made his second mistake and had to concede again.
But Palmer took those barbs personally, as evidenced by his celebrations.
He silenced them. He carried out his ‘cold’ celebration in their direction. He told them to know their place.
The lesson here is never to make Palmer angry. You won’t like him when he’s angry.
Four-goal scorer Cole Palmer silenced the Brighton fans after completing his hat-trick
Big chance of £20m summer signing
Filip Jorgensen will get the chance to impress in goal on Thursday as Chelsea plan to change their goalkeepers for the Conference League visit to Ghent.
After Sánchez’s mistakes, the 22-year-old must take this opportunity to show why he should be preferred in the Premier League after joining from Villarreal for £20 million in the summer.
Former Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made several mistakes against his old team
Maresca shows Chelsea’s strength extensively
Chelsea’s strength in depth was evident in the way Enzo Maresca made five substitutes but left Joao Felix unused.
What others may ridicule as an excess of wealth, the Blues feel they are primed for success, and club insiders believe a top-four finish is a realistic target.
