Chelsea Frustrated as Crystal Palace Holds Them to a Goalless Stalemate

Chelsea began their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a frustrating goalless draw against a resilient Crystal Palace side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The match was a tale of Chelsea’s attacking struggles against a well-organized Palace defense, with the most significant moment coming from a controversial disallowed goal.

The game’s major talking point occurred just 13 minutes in when Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze appeared to give his side the lead with a perfectly-placed free-kick. However, following a lengthy VAR review, referee Darren England overturned the goal. The decision was made because Palace defender Marc Guehi was ruled to have been less than one meter away from the Chelsea wall, which is an infringement according to Premier League rules.

The overturned goal deflated the visitors, and Chelsea, under new manager Enzo Maresca, went on to dominate possession for the rest of the game. Despite having over 70% of the ball and taking 19 shots, the Blues failed to break down a resolute Crystal Palace backline. New signings like Estevao provided a spark after coming off the bench in the second half, but their efforts were not enough to secure a victory.

For Crystal Palace, the result is a massive boost, and a testament to their strong defensive setup. They created some dangerous chances on the counter-attack, with Eze continuing to threaten the Chelsea goal throughout the match.

The draw leaves both teams to reflect on their performances. For Chelsea, it is a reminder that despite their recent Club World Cup triumph and busy transfer window, they still have work to do in finding their attacking rhythm. For Crystal Palace, it is a well-earned point that sets a positive tone for their season.