Chelsea's Cole Palmer scores record four first-half goals - ESPN

Cole Palmer became the first player to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League match during Chelsea's extraordinary 4-2 win over Brighton on Saturday, causing coach Enzo Maresca to describe the forward as the best player in the division.

The 22-year-old scored four times in a devastating 20-minute spell against the south coast club as Chelsea bounced back from Georginio Rutter's opener.

"I should have had five or six [goals]," Palmer told the BBC. "When I missed the first chance I was upset but with the way they played and their high line I felt we'd get more chances.

"The manager set up a good game plan, we knew how to attack them with first-time passes in behind. Three points is what we needed and that is what we got."

Maresca agreed Palmer could have scored more, but was full of praise for his star player.

"He scored four, but he also could have scored two or three more," Maresca said. "It's important he stays hungry, ambitious, and I know him from many years ago with the under-23s at City and with the first team.

"What he was as a boy is exactly what he was three or four years ago. Goals, assists, best player of the Premier League -- this doesn't change the way he is. He's a humble guy, and for me it's the most important thing.

"He's a top player, and today in football young players can change quick. Cole scores goals and never changes, and this is the most important thing.

"He's special player; he's a simple and humble guy. He doesn't need to tell people how good he is because you can see it clearly."

Palmer scored in the 21st, 28th, 31st and 41st minutes of Saturday's match.

With the damage already done, Chelsea saw out a far less dramatic second half to earn their fourth league win of the season.

Palmer previously scored four goals in a single match for Chelsea last season in a 6-0 win over Everton in April.

He became the fourth player -- alongside Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink -- to score three Premier League hat tricks for Chelsea.

The game against Brighton was only Palmer's 39th league appearance for Chelsea after joining from Manchester City in 2023.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report