The win, achieved at Molineux against a Wolves side rooted to the bottom of the table, was Chelsea's fourth consecutive league success and kept them firmly in the race for the Champions League places.

Palmer, who had scored four Premier League goals earlier in the season, almost matched that tally in a single game with a first-half hat-trick that underlined his growing influence. His performance was composed and clinical.

The opening goal came from the penalty spot after Joao Pedro was fouled in the area, with Palmer calmly rolling the ball into the bottom corner.

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The scenario was repeated soon after, as Pedro was again brought down, allowing Palmer to step up once more. This time he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to double Chelsea's lead.

Palmer completed his hat-trick in the 38th minute, latching on to a pass from Marc Cucurella after Wolves' defence had fallen apart. That strike secured Palmer a place in the record books as the first player in Premier League history to score three first-half hat-tricks.

Wolves showed greater urgency after the break, with Mateus ManÃƒ© striking the woodwork early in the second half before Arokodare pulled a goal back from close range following a corner. Despite that improvement, Chelsea defended resolutely to see out the match.

The victory leaves Chelsea fifth in the Premier League table, just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United

Finished Maharaja T20 Trophy