Cole Palmer's form in focus for Chelsea as Newcastle boost top-five chances - Premier League hits and misses

26 April 2025, 08:51 | Updated: 27 April 2025, 12:28

Palmer's struggles continue as Sanchez, Jackson impress

Cole Palmer may have looked on with envious eyes as he watched match-winners Nicolas Jackson and Robert Sanchez take in the applause after Chelsea's nervy win over Everton.

The trio have all come under fire during the Blues' patchy run of form in 2025 but two at least managed to claim joint responsibility for a win which edged their side closer to Champions League qualification.

A first goal since December for Jackson, a player-of-the match clean sheet from Sanchez. But another afternoon of treading water for Palmer.

• Chelsea 1-0 Everton - Match report and highlights
• As it happened | Teams | Match stats
• Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

No shots, as many passes in the final third as Levi Colwill, and another game without a goal contribution, mirroring 14 of his previous 16 matches.

The England star could do no wrong for his first 18 months at Stamford Bridge and still has 22 goals and assists combined this season, but looks devoid of confidence or ideas at the moment.

He ran down blind alleys and rarely looked dangerous against Everton, but Enzo Maresca still attempted to gee him up by praising his performance after the game.

"Hopefully Cole will score soon but his performance today was very good, he sacrificed a lot, he was pressing very well," he said. The fact Palmer's praise is limited to his work without the ball says it all.

But how to solve it? Even Maresca doesn't have the answer. Given there is little end product to lose with his current return, it might even be time to give him a spell out of the spotlight.
Ron Walker

Newcastle back in a strong position - but run-in is not straightforward

After Ben Johnson's red card and Alexander Isak's penalty on the stroke of half-time, this turned into one of Newcastle's most comfortable wins of the season. But it is also one of their most important.

• Newcastle 3-0 Ipswich - Match report and highlights
• As it happened | Teams | Match stats

After that heavy loss at Aston Villa last weekend halted their progress, this was an immediate return to the head of the Champions League race. While some of their rivals for a top-five finish focused on FA Cup matches at Wembley, Newcastle moved themselves into a commanding position. It's in their hands.

Eddie Howe warned that advantage can quickly turn - and with Brighton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton to come, Newcastle's run-in isn't straightforward. But this response to the Villa loss has rejuvenated their prospects.
Peter Smith

Ipswich take pride from Premier League campaign despite relegation

Ipswich join Southampton and Leicester in being relegated back to the Championship, but perhaps unlike those other sides, Kieran McKenna's players go down with their heads held high. 'Pride' is a word the head coach used in his post-match interviews after defeat at Newcastle confirmed their fate.

After back-to-back promotions took his side from League One to the top flight, this first season back in the Premier League was always going to be a huge step. And so it has proved.

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