Referee decision disallows Eze goal in Chelsea draw

Eberechi Eze's free-kick was ruled out after a VAR check, leaving Chelsea and Crystal Palace level at Stamford Bridge

Referee decision disallows Eze goal in Chelsea draw with Palace

Chelsea and Crystal Palace played to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge after Eberechi Eze's free-kick was ruled out following a VAR check. James Bell signalled for a pitchside review and Darren England overturned the on field decision when it was found Marc Guehi was too close to the Chelsea wall. The incident kept the match scoreless in the opening Premier League game of the season.

The Premier League match centre later explained that the goal was disallowed because Guehi was less than a metre from the wall when the shot was taken, making it an indirect free kick. Former referee Chris Foy supported the process, saying the rule aims to tidy up a crowded wall and reduce ambiguity in this kind of set piece.

This moment shows how the wall rule and VAR work together in real time. The one metre distance rule is meant to stop attackers from exploiting crowded walls, but it can create moments that are hard to judge from the sideline. Officials must explain their calls quickly to keep the game moving and maintain trust.

Fans and teams will watch how this decision influences future set pieces. If such calls become more common, clubs may adjust how they train walls and how attackers position themselves, which could change the tempo of league games and the feel of early-season matches.

Highlights

The season will test how consistently these checks are applied across teams and venues