Chelsea extended their unbeaten run to eight games on Monday by way of a 6-0 mauling of Everton, but the performance was marred by a petulant skirmish that preceded the Blues’ fifth goal of the evening at Stamford Bridge.
Having been awarded a penalty on the hour mark, several Chelsea players were seen bickering over the taking duties. There was pushing and shoving between teammates as Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson argued over who would take the spot kick while Cole Palmer, who had already scored a hat trick on the night, stood by.
Captain Conor Gallagher then stepped in to mediate, which resulted in Palmer — who is the Blues’ designated penalty taker — emerging from the squabble with the ball in his hands and promptly stepping up to score his fourth goal of the game. That strike drew him level with Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot with 20 goals each.
Chelsea players had a heated exchange over who would take this penalty kick. They were winning 4-0 at the time. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Gh6wg5cEvQ
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 15, 2024
The unedifying argument left a slightly sour taste after what was an otherwise impressive outing for Chelsea. Speaking after the game, Palmer — who has a 100% success rate when it comes to taking penalties in the Premier League — acknowledged that the issue had already been settled.
“Other players wanted to take it, but I am the penalty taker and I wanted to take it,” he said. “I think we are showing everyone wants to take responsibility. It may be a bit over the top, but everyone wants to win — we are laughing and joking about it.”
Of course, the sight of teammates quibbling over penalties is hardly a new phenomenon, with some of the game’s biggest names getting embroiled in spats over spot kicks. Here are but a few examples of the rows we’ve witnessed in recent years, with plenty of repeat offenders.
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