Who wrote an insult on Palmer match ball? Fans're quick to spot a rogue message

Cole Palmer has been mocked by one of his Chelsea team-mates after scoring a hat-trick against Manchester United.

The 21-year-old netted three as Chelsea secured a breathtaking 4-3 win over United, with two of his goals coming after the 100th minute in the space of 82 seconds.

That sucker punch left United reeling and brought Palmer joint-second in the race for the Golden Boot with 16 goals, just two behind Erling Haaland.

However, an unnamed member of the Chelsea team clearly has high standards and thinks Palmer could do even more.

That's because they wrote 's*** player' on his match ball, as fans have pointed out

Palmer posed in the dressing room with three fingers up and his match ball, which he gets to keep as is customary for anyone who scores a hat-trick.

While other team-mates had simply quilled their name to adorn his keepsake, slap bang in the centre of the shot was the expletive message.

It's bound to be tongue-in-cheek - Palmer has been a revelation since joining the Stamford Bridge outfit.

After joining from Manchester City in a £40million summer move, he has gone from strength to strength.

He now has 21 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, which is actually two more contributions than Phil Foden, although eight of his goals have been from the penalty spot.

Joe Cole has named him the 'signing of the season' ina glowing endorsement.

He told TNT Sports: 'What's even more remarkable is, the way he was talking to Jules, he just scored a last minute goal - it was like he just got off the sofa, he's got his cocoa in his hand, and he's ready for bed.

'He's the coolest man in the building,' Cole continued. 'These fans love him. Cause there's no experienced players around, you're looking for someone who's got something magical. You watch Jude Bellingham, he's not 20 years old.

'You feel the same with Cole Palmer. From Manchester United's perspective, in a crucial point of the game, how can you let the best player on the pitch have the time to take a touch in the box and strike it.

'Even he must be thinking, what's going on here? How have I got this time? He's been remarkable. I would say, signing of the season.

'He's taken this team by the scruff of the neck, and gone, "you're my team. I'm the one that's going to drag this team through". Absolutely build a team around him. He has the personality for it. Nobody thought he would miss this. Cool as you like.'

Chelsea rose to 10th in the Premier League with the win, while Manchester United sit sixth, nine points behind Tottenham in fifth.