“I was thinking, ‘what?!'”: Cole Palmer admits being shocked by Man United’s defence as he recalls dramatic goal | OneFootball

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has admitted being stunned by Manchester United’s defensive tactics when he scored an extremely late winner against Erik ten Hag’s side last season.

The two Premier League giants met at Stamford Bridge in April, with Chelsea eventually running out winners.

Palmer doubled Chelsea’s advantage after Conor Gallagher put them ahead from the penalty spot. However, the Red Devils rallied back and took the lead, thanks to an Alejandro Garnacho brace and a Bruno Fernandes effort.

It seemed like United were set to snatch all three points but Palmer had other ideas. Deep into stoppage time, the England international scored from the spot to restore parity.

He didn’t finish there. Mere moments later, he received the ball from a short corner at the edge of the box and found himself with plenty of time and space to pick his sport.

The former Manchester City man then unleashed a powerful shot that took a wicked deflection on its way to the back of Andre Onana’s net.

Chelsea broke into wild celebration as they grabbed the win from one of their biggest rivals in one of the most ruthless ways possible.

Recalling the dramatic occasion on the Premier League Show Uncut, Palmer revealed that he was left shocked by just how casual United were in trying to defend that particular phase of attacking play.

The 22-year-old said, “This is my favourite goal. I just couldn’t believe how much time and space I had. When I got the ball, I took a touch and then I took another one and I thought ‘where is everyone?’”

“Then there was just loads of players there so I thought ‘if I shoot on target, hard, I’ve got a chance’. When I got it, they were all pointing saying ‘mark him’, and none of them came out.”

Palmer was asked whether he was surprised by the space he had been afforded by United. He answered, “Yeah, I was thinking, ‘what?'”

The Chelsea man further stated, “I don’t even know why I was there, I just went there. It was a good one.”

He explained that it wasn’t particularly the quality of the goal that he enjoyed, but rather the significance of the moment.

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