Cole Palmer stars as Chelsea claim stunning Club World Cup victory against PSG

Cole Palmer produced a sensational performance to propel Chelsea to a stunning 3-0 victory over Paris St Germain in Sunday’s Club World Cup final.

Palmer scored two fine goals and created another for Joao Pedro, all in the first half, as the Premier League side defied huge odds in New York to shock the reigning European champions.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was also outstanding as the Blues, who had been clear underdogs at the MetLife Stadium, secured a jackpot in excess of £90million as the first winners of FIFA’s new 32-team tournament.

PSG lost their discipline in the closing stages and Joao Neves was sent off with five minutes remaining for pulling the hair of Marc Cucurella.

FIFA, the world governing body, had been determined to make the occasion, which was attended by US President Donald Trump, a huge success.

The pre-match programme, which included a performance from Robbie Williams and a US Air Force flyover, overran and led to a kick-off delay – but Chelsea all but had the game wrapped up before Doja Cat appeared at half-time.

It was a remarkable achievement against a PSG side that had been chasing their fifth trophy of a glorious season.

Palmer, the Conference League final match-winner, was at his dazzling best and many in the stadium thought he had opened the scoring after eight minutes when he curled narrowly wide from a Pedro flick.

PSG should have made the most of that reprieve and taken the lead themselves after Fabian Ruiz played in Desire Doue, but he opted to pass instead of shoot and Cucurella cleared.

Doue did get an effort on goal shortly afterwards but Sanchez reacted well.

Palmer took charge of the match after 22 minutes when he placed a left-foot shot perfectly into the bottom corner after Malo