Chelsea’s Premier League campaign began with frustration on Sunday as they were forced to settle for a goalless draw against Crystal Palace, only weeks after their Club World Cup triumph.
The Blues, fresh from their emphatic victory over Paris Saint-Germain in New York last month, struggled to find their cutting edge at Selhurst Park. Palace, however, thought they had made the perfect start when Eberechi Eze’s powerful free-kick found the net, only for VAR to intervene. The review showed Marc Guehi had pulled Moises Caicedo to disrupt the Chelsea wall, and the goal was ruled out.
New Chelsea arrival Estevao provided the brightest spark, but the 17-year-old Brazilian, hailed as one of football’s rising stars, could not convert his chances. His best opportunity came from the heart of the box, but he blazed his shot over the bar.
The Eagles’ star pair, Guehi and Eze, were both included in the starting XI despite heavy speculation linking them with moves to Liverpool and Tottenham. Eze’s disallowed effort was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock as Palace defended resolutely against Enzo Maresca’s side.
Chelsea’s recent Club World Cup triumph — highlighted by Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro in the 3-0 win over PSG — had fuelled hopes of a genuine title challenge. Yet on Sunday, both players were quiet, leaving Maresca searching for inspiration from the bench.
Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest opened their season in style with a commanding 3-1 victory over Brentford. Chris Wood scored twice, while Dan Ndyoe marked his debut with a goal, putting Forest out of sight before Igor Thiago netted a late penalty for the visitors.
It was a tough afternoon for new Brentford boss Keith Andrews, who has had to rebuild after losing manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham, Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United, and captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal. Star forward Yoane Wissa was also left out of the squad, with a move to Newcastle reportedly imminent.
Meanwhile, Arsenal — runners-up in each of the last three campaigns — begin their push for a first Premier League crown in over two decades when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford later on Sunday.
