BBC pundit Chris Sutton. (Photo by Ian McNicol/Getty Images)
Chris Sutton believes Cole Palmer will prove the difference when Chelsea travel to Everton this weekend.
The Blues head to Goodison Park for the last time — unless the two teams are drawn together in the cup — on Sunday looking to extend their eight-game winning streak across all competitions.
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That run included five consecutive Premier League wins, lifting Chelsea to second in the table, just two points behind Liverpool.
however, Chelsea Everton will be well aware that it will pose a serious test of their mettle.
Despite finishing 16th in the table, the Toffees are second only to Liverpool (7) for clean sheets this season (6), with four of their shutouts coming in their last five games — including a 0-0 draw with Arsenal last time out.
Everton are unbeaten in their last five games at Goodison Park and although they have scored just seven times during that run, they have conceded just twice.
Will Cole Palmer deliver the goods for Chelsea?
Sean Dyche’s men will no doubt force a tight game on Sunday.
But according to Sutton, Cole Palmer will prove the difference — The England star already has 11 goals and six assists in the Premier League this season.
Sutton wrote in his prediction column for Chelsea to win 2-1 BBC Sport: “Everton’s takeover has now gone through so there will probably be some speculation about Sean Dyche’s future, but they will get rid of him now at their peril.
“Basically, if they want to stay in the Premier League this season, they have to keep him as manager.
“Dyche’s Everton side are not pulling any trees down but they showed in the Arsenal draw how determined they are – they are awkward and hard to break down.
“Even so, you can’t go back against Chelsea right now, the confidence they’re playing with and the winning streak they’re on.
“I’ve already gone for three away wins this week, which is a bit of a risk, but it has to be number four.
“In FPL, Cole Palmer has had some really hot streaks where he’s scored a lot of points and also scored some runs where he’s been very quiet.
“I’m backing him to come good in FPL this weekend and be the real thing and play a big part in another Chelsea win.”
