'Sensational' Palmer 'hungry' again

It took Joao Pedro just 31 seconds to open the scoring against Fulham, latching on to a pass from Cole Palmer and lifting his shot over goalkeeper Bernd Leno for Chelsea's fastest goal since October 2016.

After Josh King had equalised, Morgan Rogers then marked his debut with a goal before half-time by tapping in from close range.

But it was Cole Palmer - scorer of Chelsea's third - who stood out most.

He has endured a frustrating 18 months since a niggling groin problem disrupted his sensational start to life at Stamford Bridge, highlighted by the fact he matched last season's Premier League assist tally by setting up Joao Pedro.

His trickery and creativity was on display throughout against Fulham, along with an impressive work-rate. This was more like the Palmer we saw during his first season at Stamford Bridge - and like the one who tore Paris St-Germain apart during last year's Club World Cup final.

"Over the summer I rested, I recharged and, yeah, I'm ready and I'm hungry," Palmer, who is now just two goals away from 50 in the Premier League, told Sky Sports.

He certainly looks refreshed.

During Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia, he spoke of having a point to prove and admitted a lengthy summer break felt unusual after featuring in major tournaments in each of the previous three years.

"Cole Palmer was sensational," said former Manchester United defender Gary Neville on Sky Sports. "He and Morgan Rogers were electric with Joao Pedro - the front three were brilliant.

"That was the old Cole Palmer. It was unbelievable to watch. One of the best things I've seen this weekend."