Cole Palmer won the Premier League Player of the Matchweek award for the 2026–27 opening weekend.
The Chelsea playmaker topped the supporters’ poll after the first round of fixtures, receiving 40 percent of the vote. Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard finished second with 22 percent. Palmer’s award recognised his performance in Chelsea’s 3–2 victory away to Fulham.
The shortlist also included Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki, Hull City defender Semi Ajayi, Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood, Brentford midfielder Mamadou Sangare, Ipswich Town’s Julio Enciso, and Leeds United’s Anton Stach. Those nominees represented several standout performers from the opening round.
Palmer’s victory was his first Player of the Matchweek award since Matchweek 25 of the previous season, when he scored a hat-trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The award is a fan-voted recognition, not the same thing as the official Premier League Player of the Season prize.