Chelsea held by Palace in opening day stalemate | OneFootball

Chelsea and Crystal Palace kicked off their 2025/26 Premier League campaigns with a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The reigning world champions were frustrated by FA Cup holders Palace, who looked the sharper side in the first half. Eberechi Eze thought he had given the visitors the lead with a powerful free-kick, only for VAR to rule it out after Marc Guéhi was judged to have interfered with the Chelsea wall.

The Eagles carried the greater threat before the break, with Jean-Philippe Mateta also denied by Robert Sánchez after a neat move involving Adam Wharton.

The Blues, meanwhile, struggled to create much and offered little to trouble Dean Henderson in the opening 45 minutes.

Enzo Maresca’s side improved after the restart and were lifted by the introduction of Brazilian teenager Estêvão, making his competitive debut. The winger immediately looked lively, beating Guéhi on his first run and whipping in a cross to liven up the home support. He later spurned a decent chance when the ball broke kindly in the area, firing wide with his weaker foot.

The hosts pushed hard in the closing stages, with Andrey Santos missing two late opportunities - one volley blazed over from a Marc Cucurella cut-back and a close-range header straight at Henderson. Palace, though, stood firm to earn a point in west London.

The Blues will feel the result falls short of expectations for world champions, and they now prepare for another London derby away to West Ham. Palace, meanwhile, will take encouragement from a solid display as they get ready to host Nottingham Forest next weekend.