Mauricio Pochettino expresses disappointment over Chelsea players' penalty dispute in 6-0 victory against Everton

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his disappointment at the sight of his players arguing over who would take a penalty in their 6-0 victory against Everton. Cole Palmer, who ended up taking the penalty and scoring his fourth goal of the game, had earned the spot kick during the debate over who should take it.

Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, along with Palmer, Chelsea’s regular penalty taker, all believed they should take responsibility. As a small scuffle ensued between the three players, team captain Conor Gallagher took control, taking the ball from Madueke and passing it to Palmer.

Palmer, the striker, then coolly placed the ball into the bottom-left corner, extending Chelsea's lead to 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino expressed disappointment over the behavior and stated that he will not tolerate it in the future. He shared his thoughts with We after the game.

Palmer celebrates scoring a penalty against Everton.

Palmer celebrates scoring a penalty against Everton.

Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

He emphasized, "I have already communicated to them, and now I am telling you, the fans, and everyone else that Cole Palmer is the designated taker.

If Palmer decides to pass the ball to someone else, he is allowed to do so, but not in the same manner. The incident that occurred was truly unfortunate, and I will not tolerate it happening again."

Palmer, who is 21 years old, is currently the joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season with 20 goals. Despite this, he played down the situation.

"I am the designated penalty taker and I felt confident in taking it, so I went ahead and did so," he shared with We. "However, our main aim is to demonstrate that everyone is willing to take on responsibility and contribute in any way they can."

Maybe the argument was a bit too much, but everyone just wants to win and help out. It wasn't a big deal. We were all laughing and joking about it.

The England international managed to score a perfect hat-trick in the first half against Everton. His first goal was a left-footed shot from the edge of the area, followed by a close-range header for the second goal, and a brilliant lob from distance with his right foot for the third goal after a mistake from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Pochettino looks on during Chelsea's 6-0 win.

Pochettino looks on during Chelsea's 6-0 win.

Jackson scored a well-taken goal just before the end of the half, which helped Chelsea secure a commanding 4-0 lead. Palmer's successful penalty kick, his ninth out of nine attempts this season, added even more shine to his outstanding individual performance.

In a one-sided match, defender Alfie Gilchrist scored his first goal for Chelsea, sealing a significant victory for the home team. This win keeps Chelsea in ninth place in the Premier League table, just three points behind Newcastle, Manchester United, and West Ham, with games in hand.

On the other hand, Everton is currently only two points above the relegation zone. The club is facing pressure due to two separate points deductions this season for financial rule violations.

Next up on Sunday is an important game at home against Nottingham Forest, a place below Everton in the Premier League, while Chelsea plays Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinals on Saturday.

Editor's P/S:

The incident involving Chelsea players arguing over a penalty highlights the importance of discipline and leadership within a team. While it's understandable that players may have their preferences, it's crucial to respect the designated penalty taker and avoid unnecessary conflict. Manager Mauricio Pochettino's swift action in addressing the issue demonstrates his commitment to maintaining a positive and focused team environment.

The fact that 21-year-old Cole Palmer has scored 20 goals as Chelsea's joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season speaks volumes about his talent and confidence. His willingness to take responsibility and his composure in scoring the penalty are commendable. Palmer's downplaying of the situation suggests that the team is united and focused on their goals, despite the minor setback.