THREE Chelsea players involved in a bust-up on the pitch as a row over who took the Blues’ penalties against Everton turned physical… with captain Conor Gallagher breaking up the row.

Three Chelsea players were involved in a physical row before the Blues’ fifth goal against Everton.

The Blues dominated their opponents throughout the match, with what looks set to be a comfortable victory, leading 5-0 just after the hour mark, which would help keep their European hopes alive.

Cole Palmer stole the show, scoring a first-half hat-trick as Everton crumbled in their fight to stay in the Premier League after two sets of points deducted.

The England hopeful also scored in the second half, slotting in from the spot when Noni Madueke was brought down in the penalty area, although the call did not come without controversy with a number of Blues players involved in a bit of a brawl on the pitch.

Palmer eventually took the penalty, but both Madueke and Nicolas Jackson were involved in an altercation that had to be broken up by the likes of Conor Gallagher and Malo Gusto.

Noni Madueke (right) had wanted to take the spot kick, with Cole Palmer (centre) the designated taker

Captain Conor Gallagher (centre) intervened to separate the three players before Palmer took the kick

Your browser does not support iframes.

It initially appeared that Palmer had been ruled in the box, but referee Paul Tierney waved play on before Madueke also went down.

Eventually the referee pointed to the spot, understood it was for the tackle on Palmer and it looked like Madueke, who had tried to take the spot kick Palmer scored against Manchester United a fortnight ago, and Jackson would struggle to take. spot kick with the blues already 4-0 ahead.

Sky TV cameras showed the two players arguing as it cut to a replay, but when cameras cut back to the live feed, Palmer could be seen with the ball in his hands.

Jackson and Madueke appeared angry with Palmer, who has now taken nine of nine penalties in the Premier League this season.

When Gallagher got involved, Palmer pressed Jackson as the Blues captain ensured he stayed away and told the striker, who scored Chelsea’s fourth goal, to calm down.

Jackson appeared frustrated that Gallagher had taken the ball from Madueke to pass to Palmer and received a shove from his captain, with the England midfielder also pushing Madueke away.

Madueke and Jackson could be seen arguing outside the box, with Jackson throwing his arms out in frustration.

Gallagher pushed both Jackson and Madueke, with Palmer also pushing Jackson ahead of the kick and goal

“Grow up,” former Arsenal striker Alan Smith said of the situation on Sky Sports commentary. ‘I have never seen anything like that.

“Cole Palmer is the designated receiver, and he’s the best at it.”

Madueke also appeared frustrated when he was substituted later in the game, asking his manager Mauricio Pochettino if he could continue despite appearing to be injured.

Palmer was congratulated by both players on scoring the penalty, and shared a high-five with Jackson when he was substituted around 15 minutes from time.