Chelsea suffers frustrating draw with Crystal Palace in Premier League opener
Chelsea’s Premier League title defense began with a setback on Sunday (17) as the reigning world champions were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
A giant banner celebrating the club’s Club World Cup triumph last month set the stage, but the home crowd quickly saw the difference between summer silverware and the demands of England’s top flight.
Chelsea Struggle Despite New Signings
Palace thought they had taken the lead inside 15 minutes when Eberechi Eze curled in a free-kick, but the goal was ruled out after a teammate was judged to have interfered from an offside position.
New arrivals João Pedro and Jamie Gittens failed to leave their mark in their league debuts, while 19-year-old defender Josh Acheampong impressed at the heart of defense after being handed a surprise start.
Despite dominating possession, Chelsea rarely troubled Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, and the final whistle was met with frustration from the home supporters.
Estevão Brings Spark but Misses Late Chance
The brightest moment came from 18-year-old Brazilian winger Estevão, who entered early in the second half and added pace and directness. He nearly snatched victory in the dying minutes, but his volley from a Marc Cucurella cross sailed over the bar.
Manager Enzo Maresca singled out the youngster after the match:
“He showed personality in a difficult moment. He will be a very important player for this club.”
Maresca Dismisses Concerns Over Short Preparation
Chelsea’s preseason was cut short by their participation in the Club World Cup, but Maresca rejected the idea that fatigue played a role in the sluggish display.
“I don’t think so. Until the end we competed and tried to win the game,” he insisted.
What’s Next for Chelsea
After defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final and beating Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan in preseason, Sunday’s draw was a reality check for the Blues.
Chelsea now turn their attention to their second league match, seeking their first victory in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
