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.
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“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 (2024 Marc Atkins/Getty Images)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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