Palmer dismisses social media 'idiots' after ending goal drought in Chelsea win

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer dismissed his critics on social media as “idiots” and “trolls” after scoring his first goal since January in the 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

The England international converted a penalty in stoppage time to end an 18-game scoring drought in all competitions, stretching back to Jan. 14.

“Obviously I went, what, three months without scoring, but it just gives me more fight and motivation to do well, not just for myself but for my team,” Palmer said after the game.

“Social media nowadays is full of idiots, basically. The trolls and whatever. I don’t pay any attention to that. To score today, I’m happy, but it’s only one and I’ve got to keep improving and try to reach new levels.”

Palmer said it hurt him to have been getting chances and not scoring during his scoreless run.

“You’re letting your team down at the end of the day,” he said. “Personally, I feel like I am mentally strong anyway. Whatever people say doesn’t bother me. I’ve had it all my life growing up, so I don’t really care.

“But I feel pride helping the team and if I’m not doing that, obviously I’m not happy.”

Palmer netted 22 Premier League goals last season — his first with Chelsea after a move from Manchester City — to be second on the scoring list behind City's Erling Haaland.

He has 15 goals now in this campaign.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, left, and Chelsea's Cole Palmer compete for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Chelsea's Cole Palmer, second from right, celebrates scoring his side's 3rd goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, bottom, and Cole Palmer celebrate at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Chelsea's Cole Palmer, center, passes the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Liverpool's Curtis Jones, bottom, challenges Chelsea's Cole Palmer during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s motorcade took a different route than usual to the airport as he was departing Florida on Sunday due to a “suspicious object,” according to the White House.

The object, which the White House did not describe, was discovered during security sweeps in advance of Trump’s arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.

“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Sunday.

The president, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”

Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida, club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for the roughly 10-minute drive to the airport, but took a circular route around the city to get there.

During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade for the motorcade, at one point almost colliding with the vans that accompanied Trump.

Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from where it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were turned off.

Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman for U.S. Secret Service, said the secondary route was taken just as a precaution and that “that is standard protocol.”

President Donald Trump departs Trump International Golf Club in the presidential limousine, known as The Beast, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)