Chelsea opened their Premier League campaign with frustration at Stamford Bridge, held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace in a game short on quality but not without controversy.
The Blues thought they had fallen behind early when Eberechi Eze found the net from a free kick in the 13th minute. However, referee Darren England overturned the goal after spotting Palace captain Marc Guehi standing too close to Chelsea’s wall and shoving Moises Caicedo aside. The rule states that attacking players must keep at least one metre from a defensive wall of three or more, and England took time to explain the decision on the pitch — much to Palace’s frustration.
Possession Without Purpose
Despite controlling over 70% of the ball, Enzo Maresca’s side failed to convert dominance into clear chances. New arrivals João Pedro (from Brighton) and Jamie Gittens (from Borussia Dortmund) were given debuts but looked short of sharpness. Chelsea managed 19 attempts but only three forced saves from the Palace goalkeeper, with Cole Palmer in particular struggling to find his usual precision.
Late introductions of Liam Delap and 18-year-old Estevão injected some urgency, with the young Brazilian winger catching the eye on the right flank. Still, Palace stood firm and Chelsea’s search for a breakthrough never materialized.
Eze Shines Amid Transfer Talk
Eze, Palace’s standout performer, continued to be at the centre of attention both on and off the pitch. With Tottenham Hotspur strongly linked to the midfielder, his appreciation of the traveling fans at full-time may well prove significant if a move across London materialises before the window closes.
What It Means for Chelsea
Chelsea’s draw comes after a summer of reinforcements and heightened expectations following last season’s fourth-place finish and Conference League success. Maresca’s challenge will be turning their possession-heavy style into something more clinical — a theme that haunted the club in recent years.
Elsewhere in the Premier League
In Nottingham, Forest secured a confident 3-1 win over a depleted Brentford side. New signing Dan Ndoye marked his debut with a goal, while Brentford’s attacking struggles deepened in the absence of Yoane Wissa, whose future remains uncertain. The Bees, already weakened by Bryan Mbeumo’s summer switch to Manchester United, looked short of ideas up front — a concern that could linger if more departures follow.
