Cole Palmer scored a first-half hat-trick as Chelsea won at bottom-of-the-table Wolves to continue their good run of form under Liam Rosenior.
The forward had four Premier League goals this season before Saturday’s match but almost equalled that tally in just one game as he produced an impressive display.
His first two came from the penalty spot, first converting coolly into the bottom corner after Joao Pedro had been fouled, then sending the goalkeeper the wrong way for his second, again coming after Pedro had been fouled.
Palmer then drove in from Marc Cucurella’s pass to wrap up the hat-trick in the 38th minute, with the Wolves defence having fallen apart.
Those three goals also ensured his name entered the history books as he became the first player in the Premier League to score three first-half hat-tricks.
Wolves were better at the start of the second half with Mateus Mane hitting the woodwork before Arokodare turned in from close range following a corner.
But despite an improved display from the hosts, Chelsea were able to keep them at bay for the remainder of the match.
The win – Chelsea’s fourth in a row under Rosenior – keeps them firmly in the top-four picture. They remain fifth in the table, one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
