Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer escaped a potential red card during the 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton, with former players Joe Cole and Steve McManaman offering their assessment of the late challenge on Jarrad Branthwaite.

According to a report by Football London on Sunday, 18 October 2026, Palmer risked being sent off after a late tackle on Everton defender Branthwaite near the corner flag at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Chelsea secured their second consecutive victory under manager Xabi Alonso, with Pedro Neto scoring both goals. The result also delivered the Blues their first Premier League clean sheet since January and ended a difficult run of away results against Everton.

However, Palmer's late challenge attracted attention after he had already received a yellow card in the 65th minute for protesting to referee Paul Tierney following a foul against Moises Caicedo.

Everton supporters called for Palmer to receive a second yellow card when Branthwaite went to ground following the incident. Tierney decided against taking further action, allowing the Chelsea midfielder to remain on the pitch.

Speaking on Premier League Productions, McManaman suggested that Palmer might have been relieved to avoid punishment.

“His heart probably did skip a beat at the end there,” McManaman said.

He added: “Because you’ve seen referees get carried away and produce cards for it; there’s nothing in that. If anything, Branthwaite goes to ground too easily. Probably not [making that tackle on a yellow card].

“But he’s going to ground nowhere near the ball. There’s a little connection, but there’s nothing in that at all.”

Cole also defended Palmer's challenge, arguing that the incident did not involve malicious intent. He instead praised the midfielder's growing maturity and improved contribution away from the ball.

“There was no malicious intent,” Cole said.

“If anything, I’m happy that Palmer – you think, you’re 2-0 up, you have a sense of the time of the game, you know it’s done- and I like that from Palmer. He’s better off the ball; he’s improved that in his game.”

Cole further highlighted Palmer's increasing responsibility within the Chelsea team, suggesting that the midfielder understands the expectations placed on him.

“There’s a maturity in him. He recognises that he’s the one people look to. But his heart will have certainly skipped a beat; a less experienced ref could have brandished a yellow – and then it becomes a story.”

Palmer could still be rested when Chelsea face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, with Alonso potentially rotating his squad for the midweek fixture.