Chelsea next five fixtures compared to top-four rivals after Cole Palmer destroys Brighton

The latest Chelsea news as the Blues move themselves up to third after an entertaining 4-2 win against Brighton, thanks to Cole Palmer.

When Mauricio Pochettino told his Chelsea team to demonstrate they weren't Cole Palmer FC, it didn't exactly work. Enzo Maresca, it seems, has simply embraced it.

With four first-half goals breaking a catalogue of records at Stamford Bridge against Brighton, the 22-year-old could only really laugh. Shrugging things off with his trademark 'cold' celebration, Palmer stood and let everyone flock to him once more.

So, breaking it down, Palmer became the player with the joint-most Premier League hat-tricks for Chelsea in just his 39th game. He is level with Frank Lampard as the only player to score four in one match on multiple occasions, while becoming the first player in the division's history to get four in a single half.

None of this feels particularly crazy, because that's just Palmer. This has become his playground and, in a wider sense, the league has been his play-thing. He does what he wants, when he wants and he's totally unapologetic about it all.

Although their hopes of a fourth straight domestic clean sheet were dashed with a defensive lapse Pochettino's Chelsea would have been proud about - and Antonio Conte remains the last man to achieve that feat at the club - the eventual 4-2 win, with all goals scored in the first half, did move Maresca briefly up to third spot. It continues a remarkably fun, if not still totally unpredictable, start to life in charge.

Compared to last season, though, where Chelsea lost the chance to finish in the Champions League places with a terrible start, Maresca has his side in and among the best in the division for now. Here, football.london compares their upcoming matches with those expected to be in the top-four mix once again;

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Nottingham Forest (H) - Sunday, October 6

Chelsea lost this fixture last season before an international break, which isn't a good omen, but they are in much better form this time around. As for Forest, they have made an impressive start during Nuno Espirito Santo's first full year in charge.

With Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White in their ranks, it's a threatening side which is set to visit Stamford Bridge. However, Maresca will be in no mood for presents as his side look to continue getting the better of teams who have proven to be problematic in recent meetings.

Chelsea will come into this game off the back off Europa Conference League action. Maresca has demonstrated an insistence on fully rotating for European and midweek matches though so fitness shouldn't be a problem.

Liverpool (A) - Sunday, October 20

Immediately after the international break Chelsea play possibly their toughest match yet, travelling to Anfield. Arne Slot's Liverpool look a calmer version of the team which has challenged Manchester City at the top of the Premier League for years gone by, but still mightily impressive.

With more patience but still a killer instinct, the Reds look set to go for the title, once again. Chelsea will be out for revenge after an embarrassing performance on Merseyside when the two sides met in February.

Newcastle (H) - Sunday, October 27

A tougher run of games continues for Maresca as well. Following on from more Europa Conference League duties, Chelsea welcome fellow top-four rivals Newcastle. Outside of the 1-1 draw against City on Saturday it has been a case of results being better than performances so far Eddie Howe's side.

The two teams could meet in the Carabao Cup as well in the same week, which would certainly add some spice to a fixture which hasn't lacked talking points. How the Blues balance the squad with more testing games to come will certainly be something to watch.

Manchester United (A) - Sunday, November 3

If Newcastle is a relatively new rivalry for Chelsea then this is definitely a legacy one. Chelsea and Manchester United have been two of the examples not to follow in terms of efficiency and stability across the past decade, while now they are fighting for a place at the top table once more.

Erik ten Hag is perennially under pressure and Chelsea will be in no mood to have that change. The same was true when these two met at Old Trafford last winter though and Pochettino's men caved in a terrible showing.

United have been able to raise their game against Chelsea of late which will be a cause for concern. Chelsea will believe that with a midfield as porous as Ten Hag's, their attacking players can make hay once more.

Arsenal (H) - Sunday, November 10

It has been six years since Chelsea last beat Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Over that time, they have only won three other matches out of 13. One of those was the Europa League final in Baku.

Domestically, this is a match-up that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have come to dominate, though. With the Gunners once more going for the title it will be one of the trickier tasks for the entire season.

Arsenal are not infallible and Chelsea will back themselves to make life hard for their rivals. After a 5-0 drubbing at the Emirates Stadium towards the end of last season, it is another game offering the chance of retribution.

Manchester United next five Premier League fixtures

Tottenham (H) - Sunday, September 29.

Aston Villa (A) - Sunday, October 6.

Brentford (H) - Saturday, October 19.

West Ham (A) - Sunday, October 27.

Chelsea (H) - Sunday, November 3.

Aston Villa next five Premier League fixtures

Ipswich (A) - Sunday, September 29.

Manchester United (H) - Sunday, October 6.

Fulham (A) - Saturday, October 19.

Bournemouth (H) - Saturday, October 26.

Tottenham (A) - Sunday, November 3.

Newcastle next five Premier League fixtures

Everton (A) - Saturday, October 5.

Brighton (H) - Saturday, October 19.

Chelsea (A) - Sunday, October 27.

Arsenal (H) - Saturday, November 2.

Nottingham Forest (A) - Sunday, November 10.

Tottenham next five Premier League fixtures

Manchester United (A) - Sunday, September 29.

Brighton (A) - Sunday, October 6.

West Ham (H) - Saturday, October 19.

Crystal Palace (A) - Sunday, October 27.

Aston Villa (H) - Sunday, November 3.

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