Chelsea stumble at home as Palace win

Chelsea open their season at Stamford Bridge with VAR drama and an early Eze goal that settles a tight contest.

Chelsea lose to Crystal Palace after Eze strike

Chelsea started the season with a mix of familiar faces and new signings at Stamford Bridge. A VAR review overturned an earlier Palace effort, and Eberechi Eze then found the net in the 13th minute to give Palace the lead. Chelsea pressed in response but struggled to establish a steady midfield tempo, with Wharton showing moments of control while Caicedo and Fernandez were less influential. At halftime the score stayed 0-0 as Palace defended compactly and Chelsea searched for a clearer game plan.

The match also highlighted the broader context of Chelsea’s squad rebuild. Only a portion of the six new signings started, while Palace appeared more settled in shape. The opening exchanges suggested Palace could be a tougher test in the short term, and Chelsea face questions about balance and tempo as the transfer window moves toward its close.

The opening suggests Chelsea’s overhaul is still taking shape. A team with many new faces needs time to click, and the midfield in particular shows a gap in consistent control. Palace’s organized press and compact defense provide a blueprint for stability that Chelsea will be chasing this season. The night also underscores a wider Premier League truth: depth alone does not guarantee immediate results without a clear system.

Looking ahead, Chelsea must translate transfer surplus into on-field harmony, while Palace could benefit from a continued refusal to rush their plan. If Chelsea can stabilize selection and tempo, they may turn the early turbulence into resilience; if not, the window will look heavier on risk than reward.

Highlights

The season is young, but the questions about Chelsea’s direction are already loud enough to demand quick answers.