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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Palmer hat-trick blew away United in 4-3 thriller</li><li>He has 16 goals and eight assists this season</li><li>Pochettino full of praise for England international</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Mauricio Pochettino admits he cannot explain Cole Palmer's incredible Chelsea form after Blues talisman nets game-winning hat trick in dramatic Premier League win over Man Utd

Premier League

Chelsea

Bournemouth

Following boyhood Manchester United fan <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/chelsea-player-ratings-man-utd-cole-palmer-moises-caicedo/blt404dbf849ddef8ef" target="_blank">Palmer's hat-trick against the Red Devils </a>on Thursday, Pochettino has spoken out about the 21-year-old's excellent performances since joining Chelsea from Manchester City last summer, saying "no one expected him to perform like this".

WHAT HAPPENED?

"It is difficult to explain," said Pochettino when asked about Palmer's form. "Sometimes expectation plays a role in a player when they are young. I think when we signed him, no one expected him to perform like this. For sure, we have talented players and they need time. We have a young team that needs to grow. This process is painful when you are not in a position the club is used to. The club want to build this new project. We know what we are doing but the process is not so fast."

WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

Palmer made all the difference against the Red Devils, tucking away a confident penalty in the first half before dispatching a second spot kick and a dramatic winner in the dying moments of the game, after over 10 minutes of stoppage time. His hat-trick brings his goal tally for the season to 16, and he's also notched eight assists in the Premier League in 2023-24.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The games are coming thick and fast for Chelsea right now; their next fixture is a trip north to Sheffield United on Sunday 7 April, where they'll be expected to follow up Thursday's dramatic victory with another three points.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA? 

Mauricio Pochettino admits he cannot explain Cole Palmer's incredible Chelsea form after Blues talisman nets game-winning hat trick in dramatic Premier League win over Man Utd | Goal.com Nigeria

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has commented on Cole Palmer&apos;s electric recent form, calling it &quot;difficult to explain&quot;.

Mauricio Pochettino admits he cannot explain Cole Palmer&apos;s incredible Chelsea form after Blues talisman nets game-winning hat trick in dramatic Premier League win over Man Utd

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