Chelsea held to draw with Palace

Chelsea and Crystal Palace draw in the season opener after a first-half Eze free kick is ruled out by VAR for a Guehi foul in the buildup.

Chelsea held to draw with Palace after Eze free kick ruled out by VAR

LONDON Chelsea and Crystal Palace opened the Premier League season with a 0-0 draw that left both sides with questions about their attacking threat. A moment early in the first half looked to give Palace the lead when Eberechi Eze fired in from a free kick, but VAR ruled the goal out after detecting a foul by Marc Guehi in the buildup. The decision kept the game scoreless and set the tone for a cautious 45 minutes that followed.

Chelsea started Sanchez in goal and lined up James, Acheampong, Chalobah, and Cucurella at the back, with Caicedo and Enzo in midfield and a front three of Neto, Palmer, Gittens, and Joao Pedro. Palace fielded Henderson in goal with a back four of Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, and Munoz, followed by Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Sarr, Mateta, and Eze. The match never fully clicked into a steady rhythm, and although Chelsea pressed with purpose, clear-cut chances were scarce for both teams.

The result underlines how early-season balance still governs the Premier League. Chelsea showed intent to press high and stay compact in defense, but their forward line struggled to convert pressure into quality chances. Palace offered resilience at the back and tried to counter through pace on the wings, yet found its own finishing touches lacking. The VAR moment at the half hour mark underscored a broader trend: a single refereeing decision can shape a tense opener and set a cautious mood for the rest of the game. As both managers look to build momentum, the themes are clear: Chelsea needs sharper finishing and Palace must balance defense with more inventive support for Eze.

Highlights

The season is young, and this result leaves room for both sides to grow.