Chelsea ace brutally mocks Palmer after he scored FOUR goals against Brighton

One Chelsea star teased Cole Palmer by writing a brutal message on his match ball despite the star scoring four goals against Brighton.

Palmer scored four goals in the first half of the 4-2 win, including a breathtaking 30-yard free kick which left fans purring at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The 22-year-old became the first Premier League player ever to score four goals before half-time and Mail Sport lavished him with a 9.5 rating for his 'simply extraordinary' performance.

He already has three Premier League hat-tricks - as many as club legends Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - and his Chelsea team-mates have been up to their old tricks with his match ball.

Last season a mystery man wrote 's*** player' on his ball after he netted a hat-trick in the 4-3 win over Manchester United in April.

And this time around Romeo Lavia was the agent of mischief, writing: 'You're a mid player regardless'.

Lavia tagged Palmer as he posted a picture of his graffiti on Instagram, saying: 'There you go CP'.

His work prompted a wave of reaction on social media.

'Gotta love the banter between team-mates! Keep it light and fun!' wrote one on X, formerly Twitter.

'Only a true friend can get away with that,' said another.

'Boys will be boys,' one said.

Some saw truth in Lavia's message. 'Palmer is truly a mid player. He never turns up for big games,' came the verdict of one fan.

'He knows the truth. Goals aside,' said another.

Those doubters might do well to check the scoring and assists charts, with Palmer placing second in both having scored six and set up four goals this campaign. He also has 43 Premier League goals and assists since the start of last season - the most of any player.

He had the chance to boost his numbers even more on Saturday, with one incredible first-time pass curled over the top of the defence for Nicolas Jackson a particular demonstration of his talent.

Manager Enzo Maresca hailed him at full time.

'I just said to Cole, he scored four but he could have scored two or three more. It is important he continues to be hungry and ambitious,' he said.

'I know Cole from many years ago. I had him for one entire season at City and then the first-team. The best thing he has is the way he is today as a boy, he was exactly that way two or three years ago.

'So, goals and assists, the best player in the Premier League; this does not change the way he is. He is a simple guy, a humble guy - and for me, this is the most important thing.

'He is a top player. And the important thing about the previous thing, today in football, young players change very quick. They score one goal and they think they are already... Cole has scored many goals, many assists, he is a top player but he has never changed. This is the most important thing.'

After losing 2-0 to Manchester City in the first game of the season, Chelsea have rediscovered their stride under Maresca.

They have won four and drawn one of their Premier League games since and look more lethal, putting six past Wolves while netting five against Barrow in the Carabao Cup.