Match Report: Chelsea Held by Crystal Palace as VAR Steals the Headlines | OneFootball

Chelsea Held by Crystal Palace in Goalless Premier League Clash

Chelsea and Crystal Palace played out a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge, a match that offered more questions than answers for both clubs. While the Blues showcased several new arrivals, Palace were left reflecting on a moment that could have transformed their afternoon.

Eze Denied Decisive Moment

Eberechi Eze looked as though he had written the perfect script. The 27-year-old midfielder, who has been the subject of ongoing transfer discussions with Tottenham, stepped up in the 13th minute and powered home a free-kick from 20 yards. The away support erupted, believing Palace had seized an early lead.

However, referee Darren England disallowed the strike after a VAR check. Palace defender Marc Guehi, himself linked with Liverpool, was deemed to be within one metre of Chelsea’s wall when the free-kick was taken. The law, introduced in 2019, was correctly applied but is rarely enforced. It was a bitter blow for Palace and for Eze, who may well have played his final Premier League match in red and blue.

Palace Sharper in Opening Stages

Crystal Palace created the better opportunities in the first half. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maxence Lacroix both had chances that tested Chelsea’s back line, and the visitors looked the more cohesive side in the opening 30 minutes. Palace’s energy and structure suggested a squad that has had more time together, and indeed they began their pre-season schedule before Chelsea had even completed their 2024-25 campaign.

Chelsea Still Searching for Rhythm

Chelsea began the afternoon by celebrating their Club World Cup triumph over Paris St-Germain in New Jersey, achieved just 35 days ago. That short turnaround left Enzo Maresca with only 13 days of preparation before this Premier League opener.

The starting line-up bore the imprint of another busy transfer window. Estevao Willian, Liam Delap, Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens all made their league debuts. In fact, it was the substitutes who offered Chelsea their clearest sights of goal in the second half, but a breakthrough never arrived. The performance was uneven, understandable perhaps, yet frustrating for a crowd that had arrived in celebratory mood.

Transfer Window Adds Intrigue

For Crystal Palace, the next fortnight could prove decisive. Both Eze and Guehi are attracting serious interest, and losing one or both would force the club to recalibrate its ambitions. Chelsea, meanwhile, may focus less on incomings and more on integrating a squad that already feels dramatically reshaped.

This goalless draw may fade from memory in time, but the wider context ensures it carried weight. Chelsea remain a team in transition, and Palace must brace themselves for a potentially disruptive end to the window.