Cole Palmer's four-goal haul helps Chelsea pile on misery at dismal Everton | first division

On a night when Jordan Pickford's delivery deteriorated and Jarrad Branthwaite added to Sean Dyche's pessimism by going off injured, nothing summed up the extent of Everton's collapse better than the fact that the players who tried hardest to stop Cole Palmer noted they were wearing blue.

Such is life at Stamford Bridge for Mauricio Pochettino, whose team is three points off sixth place after their most convincing victory in the first division this season. Some teams achieve 6-0 wins, but not Chelsea. They are sometimes brilliant, always enigmatic and yet, despite fleeting signs of progress, prone to moments of inexplicable immaturity.

Palmer, of course, is never affected by the chaos. He destroyed Everton with his second hat-trick in consecutive home gamesgiving him 20 goals and nine assists since leaving Manchester City last summer, and he didn't even flinch when the petulant pairing of Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke tried to take a penalty from him in the second half.

No wonder an unimpressed Pochettino later confirmed that Palmer is the designated catcher. He knows that nothing fazes his best player. Given the chance to convert his ninth penalty of the season, Palmer waited for Jackson and Madueke to step aside, then confronted Pickford, sent the England goalkeeper the wrong way and made it 5-0 with his fourth goal in a horribly one-sided match. love affair.

This was something to forget for Pickford, who had already gifted Palmer his hat-trick with a wayward pass. Everton, as James Tarkowski later acknowledged, was embarrassing. Instead of showing the fight that might be expected from a team two points above the bottom three, they disgraced themselves by falling behind and, judging by the nature of their laughable defense and pedestrian attack, cannot rest their survival hopes on in winning your appeal against your last point deduction for failing to comply with profitability and sustainability regulations.

It is true that Everton feel a sense of injustice. Chelsea's pre-match bulletins focused on a growing injury list and revelations contained in their year-end accounts regarding a loss of £90.1 million being relieved by the sale of two hotels from one entity affiliated with the club to another. Others can only marvel at the financial creativity.

But Everton have made mistakes in the boardroom and are a disaster on the pitch. They started well, pressing Chelsea high, and should have taken the lead when Beto missed an early cross from Séamus Coleman.

It was a costly mistake by the player who replaced the paralyzed Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Dyche said his players were “miles away” and criticized his lack of application. However, to be fair, when someone tried to make a tackle on Palmer, it ended up with Chelsea taking the lead.

Branthwaite was probably displaying the right level of aggression when he confronted Palmer. However, so adept at receiving the ball under pressure, Palmer received a pass from Malo Gusto, turned and fired at Branthwaite with a delightful piece of skill. A good center back stayed on the ground and soon it was Amadou Onana's turn. Palmer played a smart pass to Jackson, ran into the striker's lay-by and unleashed a glorious curling shot with his left foot.

It was the kind of nerve that must have made Steve Holland, England's assistant manager, think that Gareth Southgate had to take Palmer to Euro 2024. Holland was present for this defeat and soon saw Everton crumble. Five minutes later, everyone stood still when Conor Gallagher saved a ball that was out of play. Moisés Caicedo took over, passed James Garner and Mykhailo Mudryk reached the baseline. Jackson shot, Pickford saved and Palmer headed the second.

The perfect hat-trick was achieved in 30 minutes. After waiting a long time at the beginning, Everton decided to try to play from the back. All was going well until Pickford passed straight to Palmer, who scored a carefree lob with his right foot.

The worst would follow. Everton's right flank of Ashley Young and Coleman (combined age: 73) creaked as Marc Cucurella pounced on Palmer's pass. The left-back's cross found its way to Jackson, who turned and fired a shot past Pickford.

Jackson earned his 10th league goal of the season after tormenting Tarkowski and Branthwaite. Everton, who were booed at half-time, were a mess. His problems increased when Branthwaite limped off in the 55th minute.

The suffering continued, Pickford denied Palmer. Moments later, Palmer and Madueke fell in the area. Paul Tierney finally penalized the challenge on Palmer, which was the signal for Madueke and Jackson to have their crisis. He needed Gallagher to step in and get the ball to Palmer. Chelsea scored, but Pochettino was furious.

Dyche was the manager with the biggest problems, however, and Everton's goal difference would be further damaged when Chelsea substitute Alfie Gilchrist scored his first senior goal after more miserable defending.