'Shameful' Chelsea duo facing the axe after final warning from Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino threatened to axe Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke after they tried to hijack penalty-taking duties from four-goal Chelsea hero Cole Palmer.

As the Blues’ six-shooters put dismal Everton to the sword, Palmer’s brilliant display was overshadowed by an amazing tug-of-war with team-mates Jackson and Madueke.

Chelsea were coasting at 4-0 up when referee Paul Tierney awarded their 14th penalty of the season – and Poch Spice was furious when they tried to gazump regular taker Palmer, who has a 100 per cent record from the spot for the club.

Pochettino raged: “It is a shame, we cannot behave in this way and I can only apologise. I told them this is the last time I accept this type of behaviour. Next time those involved in a situation like this are all out. This is not a joke.

“It is impossible after a performance like this. It shows we are in a process where we will learn a lot, we need to change and see more in the collective way than to think of individual achievement.

“I have made it clear to them that Cole Palmer is the taker. If he wants to give it to another player he can – but not in this way. It is a sad situation that happened and we have all agreed it cannot happen again.”

Palmer played down the squabble over the spot-kick, saying: “Other players wanted to take it, which was understandable.

“But I am the penalty taker and wanted to take it. We’re just trying to show everyone that we want to take responsibility. Maybe it was over the top a bit, the argument. We were laughing and joking about it.”

Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer of Chelsea argue over a penalty kick

Pochettino said the row would not affect his team selection for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley but added: “We are like in a school. They are kids and they need to learn.

“But if they don’t learn, yes we will take some decisions.”

Everton boss Sean Dyche made no attempt to sugar-coat his side’s horror show, which left the Toffees just two points above the drop zone.

He said: “They were dancing around us. Really poor. We were miles off the intent and desire needed to win a match. Not just the back five, young lads in midfield. They’ll learn if you don’t get tackles in and read the play you’ll get hurt.

“You have to give strength, put a tackle in. You can’t give away soft goals like that. We can’t perform like that at a place like this. That was miles off acceptable and all I can do is accept responsibility for it.”

Everton had earlier lodged an appeal against their latest two-point penalty from the Premier League for breaching financial rules.

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