Cole missed a large chunk of the first half of the season because of injury. He returned to action at the end of November but didn't play a full 90 minutes until the turn of the year, as the club looked to manage his workload.

The forward has acknowledged himself that he has struggled to replicate his best form this season but on Saturday he scored yet another first-half hat-trick and looked more like the Palmer fans know and love.

It is why 88 per cent of you voted for Cole as our Player of the Match on the Chelsea Official App, and here we will explain why.

History maker

By finding the net three times before the half-time oranges were even out, Cole became the first player in Premier League history to score three first-half hat-tricks.

And that wasn't the only history book he etched his name in on Saturday. At Molineux he became the first Chelsea player to score four Premier League hat-tricks, surpassing three players who occupy places on the Blues legends wall at Stamford Bridge: Didier Drogba, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Frank Lampard.

Just a reminder, Palmer is only 23 years old. His best years are still ahead of him.

After the match, Cole told us he is 'still not there yet' in terms of feeling 100 per cent, with little niggles still impacting the forward. It was the first time in his career that he had been injured for a reasonable amount of time and it has frustrated the Mancunian.

He admitted after the match to overthinking his football in recent months due to the injury concerns but praised Chelsea's staff for helping him edge closer to full fitness.

Leading the way

If Palmer is scoring three goals inside 38 minutes while not at his best, then it is an ominous sign for the rest of the Premier League.

Cole led the way in a number of stats in the East Midlands, despite only featuring for two-thirds of the game, as he came off in the 61st minute.

While Palmer is known for the impact he makes in the final third, with goals and assists, and ultimately that is why he grabbed most the headlines at Molineux, some of his best work was actually done deeper on Saturday afternoon.

When it came to stats such as final third entries, Enzo Fernandez had considerably more (12) than Cole's three, and even Malo Gusto from right-back (10) did so more often.

It was a similar story with touches in the opposition box. Left-back Marc Cucurella had six, while Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto both had five, one more than Palmer and Enzo.

One of the main reasons the likes of Cucurella, Gusto, Neto and Enzo - who was playing in the left-sided No.10 role - saw more of the ball in and around the Wolves' box was Chelsea's plan to overload the wide areas, with the full-backs overlapping and underlapping with regularity. But Cole was still making his mark in the middle.

Still deadly from 12 yards

After a bright start from Wolves, Chelsea ended up being totally dominant in the first half, especially after Matt Doherty had brought down Joao Pedro for the first spot kick.

Despite not turning 24 until May, Palmer already has a reputation as one of the world's best penalty takers and that was on full display at Molineux.

Cole lined up to take two spot-kicks on Saturday. On both occasions, the otherwise impressive Jose Sa was sent the wrong way.

Chelsea were two goals to the good and cruising before 35 minutes was even on the clock. Three minutes later and the contest was all but over.

Classy third

Everything about Chelsea's third goal was impressive. From the patient play at the back, waiting for the opportunity. To Wes Fofana's pass into Pedro Neto, who rolled his defender expertly on the halfway line. The switch to the other flank allowed Enzo Fernandez the time and space to pick out the run of Cucurella, and his driving underlapping run into the penalty area and subsequent cut-back was top draw.

In the end, Palmer was left with a finish from ten yards but he still had to show desire to have got there in the first place. He still had to make decent contact on the first-time strike. He still had to ensure it went the right side of the crossbar. He can still finish as well as anyone.

It was a 14-pass move which involved nine members of Chelsea's starting XI. But for all the great play in the build-up, it would have counted for little had Palmer sent his effort over the bar. Not a chance, as he showed superb technique to guide his powerful shot into the roof of the net.

Unstoppable

Cole's afternoon would finish just after the hour mark, seven minutes after Wolves had pulled a goal back but it was enough time to remind people of what a special talent he is.

Speaking immediately after the match, head coach Liam Rosenior said: 'We know what a world-class player he is. He's played a lot of football over the last year with not much rest, but when he's at his best, he's unstoppable. I'm delighted to be working with him.'

Before adding: 'When Cole is fully fit, full firing, feeling good, he's a magnificent footballer. When you're at a club like this club, with its huge demands and scrutiny – which I'm starting to learn myself – you have to block out the noise and remember what a good player you are.

'I love working with him, he loves being here, and hopefully he can really enjoy his football between now and the end of the season, because it will help us on the pitch.'

Excitingly for Chelsea fans, there is a sense that the best is still to come from Cole Palmer this season.

We return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening for our clash against Leeds. With general admission tickets sold out, Club Chelsea is your only way to watch the action live. Seat-only tickets start from £210 per person (inc. VAT) – book now by clicking here!