Overview
- Chelsea, which thrashed Port Vale 7-0 on Saturday in the FA Cup quarter-final, booked a Wembley semi-final and eased pressure after a rough stretch.
- With Reece James injured and Enzo Fernández serving an internal suspension, Palmer captained the side for the first time in what Rosenior called a natural step.
- Palmer forced Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel into an own goal before half-time, while Rosenior praised his off-ball work and said he set the tone on fundamentals.
- After the match, Palmer called the captaincy a proud moment and said a persistent groin issue has improved, noting he feels he has turned a corner.
- The result follows four straight defeats and recent disciplinary fallout, and coverage ranged from praise for Palmer’s attitude to criticism of his influence as Chelsea look toward Manchester City next.