Audio By Carbonatix
Cole Palmer inspired a stunning Chelsea performance as they downed European champions Paris St-Germain to win the first edition of the newly expanded Club World Cup.
The England attacking midfielder scored twice and set up a brilliant third goal for new signing Joao Pedro in a comprehensive 3-0 win over in-form PSG at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Palmer, 23, placed a low shot past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 22nd minute after Malo Gusto ran in behind Nuno Mendes, adding a second with an identical shot from the edge of the box just eight minutes later.
Palmer's defence-splitting pass allowed Joao Pedro to lob Donnarumma just before half-time to stun a team branded "the best in the world" by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca before kick-off.
In the second half Khvicha Kvaratskhelia immediately tested Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but his close-range save minutes later from Ousmane Dembele was even more impressive.
Substitute Liam Delap also had a good shot saved as PSG were left with too much of a mountain to climb after early misses by Joao Neves and Desire Doue when the scores were level in the first half.
The game was all but over on 85 minutes when matters got worse for the Parisians, as midfielder Joao Neves was sent off after a brief VAR check for pulling defender Marc Cucurella's hair.
PSG manager Luis Enrique will also face questions after appearing to slap Chelsea forward Joao Pedro in ugly post-match scenes, with unused substitute Presnel Kimpembe having to pull away his coach.
Among the 81,118 people in attendance - the biggest of the tournament - was US President Donald Trump, who sat alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino as Chelsea took their earnings to about £90m as they became world champions.
Latest Stories
-
Trump-backed candidate Nasry Asfura wins in knife-edge Honduran election
2 hours -
Officials discover a million more documents potentially related to Epstein case
4 hours -
Kyrgios set to make ATP Tour return at Brisbane
4 hours -
‘Always hungry, always brave’ – why Man City want Semenyo
5 hours -
Cameroon open AFCON with win after Etta Eyong’s strike
5 hours -
Mahrez scores twice as Algeria beat 10-man Sudan
5 hours -
Imperial General Assurance supports Ashanti School for the Deaf Girls with menstrual hygiene products
5 hours -
Roverman Productions welcomes one and all to the Festival of Plays!
5 hours -
GTA marks a century of highlife with grand launch of Highlife @ 100
6 hours -
Star Dancers crowned winners of Season II of Kumawood TV Star Kids Show
6 hours -
Amad Diallo gives AFCON holders Ivory Coast win over Mozambique
6 hours -
UK social media campaigners among five denied US visas
6 hours -
BP sells stake in motor oil arm Castrol for $6bn
7 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Asante Kotoko beat Eleven Wonders to go third
8 hours -
Algerian law declares France’s colonisation a crime
9 hours
