Cole Palmer: Three games, four goals, four days | OneFootball

It’s fair to say that as memorable weeks go, Cole Palmer’s will take some topping.

A stunning maiden Champions League strike in Tuesday’s emphatic 5-1 group stage victory away at Club Brugge provided yet more compelling evidence of Palmer’s huge potential.

And it also served as the latest bookmark in a remarkable few days that began with the 19-year-old embarking on his very own version of super Saturday.

After making his latest Premier League appearance as a late substitute in last weekend’s 2-0 Etihad triumph over Burnley, just over two hours later Palmer was back in action again with our Elite Development Squad as we played host to Leicester at the Academy Stadium.

There, Palmer summoned up a quite brilliant hat-trick to help inspire Brian Barry-Murphy’s side to a thumping 5-0 win as we extended our lead at the top of the PL2 standings.

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Palmer – who signed a new long-term contract in the summer - then linked back up with City’s first team squad and jetted out to Belgium on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s resumption of Champions League action away to Club Brugge.

Named on the bench by manager Pep Guardiola for our latest Group A clash, Palmer was summoned into action midway through the second half with City already 3-0 up.

Within three minutes, the Wythenshawe-born attacking midfielder had stamped his own mark on the game by producing a moment of outstanding individual skill to register his first senior European goal for the Club.

WATCH: Highlights: Club Brugge 1-5 City

His sublime finish at the Jan Breydelstadion rounded off what was a magnificent all-round display by City, one that saw us equal the Club’s biggest-ever away win in the Champions League group and knockout stages.

The goal also meant that Palmer became only the third teenager to score in the Champions League for City after Phil Foden and Kelechi Iheanacho.

At the age of just 19 years and 166 days, Palmer also became the 10th youngest Englishman to score in the competition.

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Not surprisingly, Cole’s impact left City fans drooling – and also ignited the excitement of former City skipper Richard Dunne, one of the special guests on Tuesday’s latest edition of Matchday Live.

“To score a hat-trick for the EDS after playing in front of 50,000 at the Etihad shows his character and shows his mental strength, it’s fantastic,” Dunne declared.

“When young players come in, they tend to drift away but he was head and shoulders above players during pre-season. They were playing through him.

“He has the perfect learning platform here with Pep Guardiola. He excites you and it’s great to see.”

WATCH: Pep: Palmer has a ‘special quality’

Palmer’s exploits also caught the imagination of the media with Guardiola asked about Palmer’s performance and potential at his post-match press conference.

Though full of praise for the youngster, the City manager also urged caution in terms of expectations, pointing out that the 19-year-old was still very much at the start of his senior football journey and still learning his craft.

And the boss used a memorable analogy in pleading for patience for the latest exciting graduate from City’s Academy, pointing to the way City had carefully nurtured the progress and development of Foden over the past four years.

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"Cole has a special quality," said Guardiola. "Inside the box he has this talent which is difficult to find. When he has the ball there, most of the time it finishes in the net.

"But I know how it works with young players. We are calm and patient, like we have been with Phil as well.

"The people in this world want things immediately, quick, but everything needs time.

"You cannot cook a good dish if you don't spend time in the kitchen. So, take time."

WATCH: Match highlights: City EDS 5-0 Leicester

From his own perspective, Palmer says that he is eager to try and grasp every opportunity he is afforded at first team level and look to make his mark where he can.

He was also at pains to praise the way the rest of the City first team and coaching staff were helping mentor and guide his development.

And, perhaps most encouragingly of all, Palmer insisted there was so much more to come from him.

“It’s been a top season so far. Hopefully, I can get more minutes and keep pushing with the first team,” Cole reflected.

“I think it’s just about timing. I’ve just got to be patient and wait for a chance with the first team and hopefully when it comes like against Wycombe, I’ve just got to take it and make an impact.

“All the first team are there to help you and the staff as well. I really enjoy going in and playing around them

“I’m only going to improve and get better, so I’ve got to keep pushing.

“That’s what I’ve got to do and now I want to kick on from here.

“I love what I’m doing and there’s definitely a lot more to come. Being with the first team every day it’s only going to improve me.”

WATCH: Palmer: There is so much more to come!

COLE PALMER TIMELINE

Saturday:

2pm: Named in the matchday squad to face Burnley4.47pm: Comes on as substitute replacing Bernardo Silva4.50pm: Full time as City beat Burnley 2-06pm: Named in the starting 11 for City's EDS v Leicester7.19pm: Opens the scoring at the Academy Stadium7.46pm: Doubles City’s advantage just before half-time8.39pm: Competes his hat-trick with a stunning finish to seal a 5-0 win.

Monday:Morning: Palmer trains with the City squad prior to our latest Champions League group game away at Club BruggeAfternoon: Flies out to Belgium with the rest of Pep Guardiola’s first team squad.

Tuesday:4.30pm: Named amongst the substitutes for our clash at Club Brugge7.07pm: Comes on a substitute for Kevin De Bruyne7.10pm: Scores his first Champions League goal for City with a fine left foot shot.7.34pm: Helps City seal a 5-1 triumph, equalling our record away win in the Champions League9.30pm: Flies back to Manchester