After a contentious incident between Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke following Chelsea’s resounding victory over Everton, Dele Alli characterized their behavior as “selfish.”
During Monday night’s match at Stamford Bridge, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad easily triumphed over Everton, with Cole Palmer delivering yet another exceptional performance, netting four goals to secure a flawless hat-trick.
Returning to Goodison Park defeated and dispirited, Everton witnessed Chelsea’s continued dominance, as Jackson and Blues academy product Alfie Gilchrist both found the back of the net.
However, a peculiar altercation between teammates Jackson and Madueke after the hosts’ penalty kick in the second half somewhat overshadowed Chelsea’s impressive 6-0 victory.
Despite being Chelsea’s designated penalty taker, Palmer engaged in a heated dispute with captain Conor Gallagher over who should take the spot kick. Nevertheless, neither relented.
While Palmer’s successful penalty against Jordan Pickford elevated him to joint-top Premier League scorer, Jackson refrained from celebrating the goal.
Due to personal and medical reasons, Everton midfielder Dele has been sidelined this season. He rebuked Jackson and Madueke, accusing them of displaying immaturity.
“I think Pochettino will be really disappointed,” he remarked on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports. “One of his standout qualities is how much he values players as individuals, and it seems self-serving for them to behave in that manner.”
“They want to score—players wanting to score is commendable—but they should strive for it throughout the match. If you’re not the designated taker, simply step away from the ball.”
“I didn’t see them doing that when the pressure was on against Manchester United in the dying seconds.”
“It’s evident that Mauricio is displeased with the situation. However, they will learn from it as young players.”
The former England international continued, stating, “In my opinion, this reflects their immaturity.” They didn’t appear to struggle with the weight of the penalty against United.
Following the match, Pochettino expressed his fury at witnessing two of his players clash on the field during an interview with Sky Sports.
Nonetheless, he lauded Chelsea’s “flawless” performance, highlighted by Palmer’s first-half hat-trick, which he completed in just 29 minutes.
“We’ve had some excellent performances, but overall, I’m pleased with the team’s effort and the strong start to the game.”
Reflecting on Palmer’s performance, Pochettino admitted, “When we signed him, he was an exceptional talent.”
“He has adapted well and is performing admirably. His impact on the squad from the outset has been remarkable. I’m delighted for him and the team.”
After dismantling Everton, Chelsea widened the gap between themselves and their European qualification rivals. However, it was a harrowing night for Sean Dyche’s side, who now sit 16th in the Premier League, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
