A pair of trophy-toting Londoners stalled Sunday when Chelsea drew Crystal Palace 0-0 at Stamford Bridge.
It’s a fine point for Palace but the Eagles may lament an overturned Eberechi Eze free kick goal.
WATCH — Chelsea vs Crystal Palace full match replay
Shot attempts were plenty — the Blues outshot Palace 19-12 — but Chelsea held more than 70% possession and will feel they let good chances go for nothing in a disappointing start to the season.
Palace’s USMNT center back Chris Richards was named Player of the Match.
Palace push through uncertainty to impress
Enzo Maresca was given an out during his postgame interview when he was asked whether Chelsea’s shorter preseason affected them compared to Palace’s longer one, but Chelsea’s Italian boss more or less nodded in the direction of Sunday’s visitors — Palace are good. There are questions whether Eberechi Eze or Marc Guehi will be there at the end of the transfer window but they were solid at the back, where honestly Guehi was the third-best center back behind Maxence Lacroix and Player of the Match winner Chris Richards. There will be plenty of time and words to judge Chelsea this season, but perhaps this day it’s best to salute Oliver Glasner and his two trophies at Palace — the Eagles are good, and aren’t going anywhere.
What’s next?
Crystal Palace host Fredrikstad on Thursday in the Conference League playoff round, then step into what will be a spicy match with Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Chelsea next have another London derby with a visit to old boss Graham Potter and West Ham set for Friday afternoon.
How to watch Chelsea vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Stream live online via NBC.com
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace live updates, final score: 0-0
USMNT back Chris Richards named Player of the Match, speaks after the draw
How did you get the point? “Working together. We’ve seen Chelsea throughout last season and preseason that they have a very dangerous attack. A draw is a good way to start the season.”
Mindset for game; “One thing we talk about is embracing a tough game, embracing the toughness Chelsea is going to bring. It wasn’t perfect but as long as we could complete a clean sheet it would be good.”
How did Palace deal with transfer rumors, Europa League drama? “We try to block out the outside noise and put in good performances. I think that’s what we did today. Now we have Europe on Thursday and hopefully we can put in a good performance.”
Chelsea subs
Liam Delap will get the final 17 minutes plus stoppage up top in place of Joao Pedro.
A few minutes later, it’s Andrey Santos on for Enzo Fernandes and Malo Gusto for Reece James.
Chelsea sub
Jamie Gittens’ day is over after 54 minutes, and Estevao Willian makes his much-anticipated Blues debut.
Halftime — Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
Anyone’s game here, where Chelsea have been volume attackers but Palace have proven up to the challenge.
Robert Sanchez leg save!
An excellent Adam Wharton through ball has J-P Mateta digging a shot out from 15 yards.
Sanchez reacts well with his left leg to kick it away and keep it 0-0.
Eberechi Eze free kick goal — marvelous, but disallowed!
A vicious free kick goal from Eberechi Eze but will it stand?
Marc Guehi plows Moises Caicedo off the end of the wall and VAR consultation is underway.
Referee Darren England turns on his microphone and explains that Guehi was within one meter of the wall — of course he was, he moved it! — when Eze struck the ball.
No goal, and it was excellent to have the referee explain it to the crowd. 0-0
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer, Neto, Gittens, Pedro
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace preview
A pair of trophy-toting Londoners meet Sunday when Chelsea welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge.
The hosts won the Club World Cup this summer, giving manager Enzo Maresca and all of Chelsea’s supporters reason to believe their team could be back in competition for a Premier League title.
Their South London visitors have silverware in store, too, having added the Community Shield to their FA Cup triumph.
Palace finished 12th on the Premier League table but were nearly the same distance from first as the bottom three. That was good for 16 points back of fourth-place Chelsea.
So dreams will be high on both sides of London as Oliver Glasner’s Palace looks to beat a Chelsea side they drew 1-1 twice last season.
Chelsea team news, focus
OUT: Levi Colwill (torn ACL – MORE), Benoit Badiashile (knock), Nicolas Jackson (suspension), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Omari Kellyman (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Romeo Lavia (undisclosed), Wesley Fofana (thigh)
Crystal Palace team news, focus
OUT: Cheick Doucoure (knee), Chadi Riad (knee), Matheus Franca (adductor), Eddie Nketiah (thigh), Daichi Kamada (knee), Caleb Kporha (back)
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace prediction
The Blues will miss Levi Colwill but Palace have some uncertainty in their ranks as stars Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze are reportedly being wooed by some of the Premier League’s big boys. Chelsea’s time together at the Club World Cup gave them a headstart on chemistry for the season, and that feels likely to tilt the game a bit further in favor of the hosts. Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace.
