Some might refer to it as the miss of the season. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer had a chance to secure a victory against Leeds on Tuesday, a vital moment that could enhance their Champions League qualification ambitions. But he squandered a shot in the dying seconds, resulting in a disappointing 2-2 draw.

Palmer’s shot sailed over the goal from just a few feet away, missing an open net. For someone nicknamed “Cold Palmer,” the chill seemed absent in the crucial moments. As Chelsea currently sits in fifth place, only five points clear of Liverpool and Brentford, both of whom are close behind in the Champions League race with a game in hand, the ramifications of this outcome could be significant.

“Cole Palmer missed this GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY to give Chelsea all three points against Leeds in stoppage time 😱” — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo)

Despite registering a 0.87 expected goals (xG) for the miss — which statistically should have been easier than the 0.79 xG penalty he converted earlier — this may not reflect a larger issue for Palmer. His recent return from injury has made Chelsea’s lineup more threatening, though they also rely on Joao Pedro’s presence. Palmer registered his first assist of the season for Pedro in the first half, after earning eight assists last season and playing a crucial role in the Club World Cup.

Although Chelsea appeared to be strong contenders for a Champions League spot, matches like this serve as a stark reminder that upsets can derail even well-crafted campaigns. Upcoming matches against Hull City in the FA Cup and Burnley at home will provide the Blues opportunities to bounce back before facing Arsenal on March 1, a match with significant consequences for both their top-four ambitions and the Premier League title race.