Cole Palmer scored four first-half goals against Brighton in an impressive performance at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues were 1-0 down after seven minutes due to disastrous defending, allowing Georginio Rutter to score a first-half header.

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However, Chelsea improved dramatically by making the most of the Seagulls’ high line and scoring three goals in quick succession.

Palmer scored all the goals in a standout period of the first half, with his first goal coming off a pass from Nicolas Jackson.

He then scored from the penalty spot after Jadon Sancho was fouled in the box, but his best attempt came with his third goal.

After a foul on Noni Madueke, Palmer curled a free kick with a stunning shot into the top right corner of the goal.

It sealed his third ever hat-trick for Chelsea, the other two coming against Manchester United and Everton last season.

His record has equaled that of Chelsea legends Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard in the Premier League.

However, Brighton fought back shortly after Palmer’s free-kick as Carlos Baleba capitalized on poorer defending.

However, four minutes before half-time, Palmer scored his and Chelsea’s fourth goal of the game, the second time he scored a quartet of blue goals after the 4-3 win over United.

It is the first time in Premier League history that a player has scored four goals before half-time.

His total of 43 goal involvements are also the most in the Premier League since his Blues debut last September, three ahead of Erling Haaland.

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Palmer’s total for Chelsea now stands at a whopping 31 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions, 28 of which have come in the Premier League.

The former Manchester City player also has 19 assists for the Blues, making his total 50 contributions.