Cole Palmer’s perfect penalty record came to an abrupt end during Chelsea’s match against Leicester City, as the 22-year-old missed from the spot for the first time in his professional career. The midfielder, who had previously converted all 12 of his penalties, saw his effort saved by Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Palmer had been struggling to find the net in recent weeks, entering the game without a goal in his last eight appearances. With Chelsea facing relegation-threatened Leicester, he was given a prime opportunity to break his drought when Jadon Sancho was brought down by Viktor Kristiansen midway through the first half.
Known for his composed approach to penalties, Palmer had previously scored with precision and even attempted Panenka-style finishes against Brighton and Tottenham earlier in the season. This time, however, he chose to go for power, aiming for Hermansen’s left-hand post.
The Leicester goalkeeper reacted brilliantly, diving down to his left and making a strong save to deny Palmer. It was an uncharacteristic miss from Chelsea’s designated penalty taker, whose confidence seemed to have dipped in recent weeks.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer analyzed the miss, stating that Palmer’s decision to prioritize power over placement showed a lack of confidence. Schwarzer praised Hermansen’s save, noting that it was an impressive stop against an otherwise reliable penalty taker.
Despite the setback, Palmer remains one of Chelsea’s key players, having been a standout performer throughout the season. His penalty-taking ability had been a major asset for the Blues, and the miss against Leicester will likely serve as motivation for him to regain his form.
Fans will be watching closely to see how Palmer responds in upcoming matches. While missing a penalty can shake a player’s confidence, his previous performances suggest he has the mentality to bounce back quickly.
As Chelsea continues their campaign, Palmer will be eager to put this moment behind him and return to his goal-scoring ways. The club’s supporters will hope this is just a minor blip in what has otherwise been a promising season for the young midfielder.