The Blues extended their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to eight matches in some style, with Palmer netting his second hat-trick in three games at Stamford Bridge to inspire the hosts to an emphatic victory.
However, a heated argument between Madueke and Jackson – after the home team were awarded a 64th-minute penalty – threatened to overshadow Monday night’s one-sided contest in west London.
Madueke and Jackson fought over who should take the spot-kick, while Palmer was still in a heap on the floor, before the young England international grabbed the ball, with the help of Conor Gallagher, and slotted home past Jordan Pickford from 12 yards.
A less-than-impressed Mauricio Pochettino took a hardline approach as he spoke to the media after the game, stressing that he would no longer be tolerating such behaviour, with Raheem Sterling and Palmer involved in a similar row last month.
And while the Chelsea manager said it was time to ‘move on’ at a press conference on Friday, ex-England and Newcastle striker Shearer still couldn’t get his head around the incident as he discussed the match with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards on The Rest Is Football podcast.
Reflecting on Palmer’s outstanding performance, Shearer gushed: ‘Just outrageously good. The confidence, the belief, all types of different goals.
‘The header, the tap-in – right place, right time. The chip from god knows how far out, the bend…
‘The penalty and what a faff that was with the other players trying to take the penalty off him. It’s like: “Oh my god!”‘
‘As host Lineker pondered what on earth Palmer’s team-mates were thinking during the row, Shearer responded: ‘Stupid f***ing idiots!’
According to Shearer, Palmer has ‘without doubt’ made himself a shoo-in for Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of this summer’s European Championships in Germany.
‘We are yet to hear whether it’s going to be a squad of 26 or still 23, so we will have to wait for that,’ Shearer – the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer – added.
‘That would make it a lot bloody easier for Gareth getting it up to 26!
‘Without doubt, he has to have played his way into his squad. The form he’s in, the goals he has scored. 20 league goals! He’s sat top of the list with [Erling] Haaland. It’s ridiculous, it’s madness!’
Shearer believes Palmer’s ‘attitude’ and willingness to take on responsibility at such a young age is what sets the attacking midfielder apart.
‘Great attitude, what an attitude. He just looks so calm, he looks so cool,’ he went on.
‘On the penalties he’s just hugely confident, “Gimme the ball, I’ll take it and do what I have to do!”, and he’s got a great style, technique.
‘I love his attitude. I bloody love his attitude.’
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