Premier League - Eze scored a free kick and was blown away, Chelsea scored several shots without success 0-0 Crystal Palace

At 21:00 on August 17, at the first round of the 2025-26 Premier League, the new Club World Cup champion Chelsea met the challenge of Crystal Palace at home. In the first half, Eze scored a free kick, but Ingeyi's goal was blown up in violation of the rules. Sanchez rescued the situation bravely, and Chaloba missed the opportunity to shoot in the small penalty area. In the second half, Santos kicked the ball away without defending in the penalty area, and neither side could rewrite the score. In the end, after 90 minutes of fierce battle, although the Blues had the advantage in the field, they were unable to knock on the opponent's goal and exchanged 0-0 with Crystal Palace, failing to get a good start to the new season.

In the 4th minute, Chelsea got a free kick opportunity on the left. Kukurelia headed the ball in front and then formed a great threat. Sal pushed the ball out of the goal line, and Crystal Palace escaped. In the 13th minute, a controversial scene occurred on the court. Crystal Palace received a free kick at the front of the penalty area, and Eze directly scored a goal, helping the visiting team take the lead. However, VAR prompted the referee to look back and confirm that during the goal, Gee was less than one meter away from the man wall, the attacking player violated the rules, the goal was judged invalid, and Chelsea received an indirect free kick. In the 19th minute, Walton made a straight pass, and Matthaeta's shot in the middle was blocked by Sanchez. In the 28th minute, Cucurella headed the ball to clear the ball, Munos made a foul, and the referee showed a yellow card. In the 30th minute, Gittens's cut-in from the left was blocked, and Chaloba's subsequent follow-up shot was high. In the 45th minute, Palmer's powerful shot was blocked, and Cucurella's repeated shot was knocked away.

End of the first half, Chelsea drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace.

In the 54th minute, new player Estewan made his official debut in the summer window, and immediately injected vitality into the game. In the 57th minute, Estewan made a cross from the right, Neto headed the ball from the middle of the penalty area slightly out, and the Crystal Palace goal was in a hurry again. In the 66th minute, Palmer forced a breakthrough from the left and made a cross. The ball slid across the small penalty area. Estewan, who was surrounded by the back point, was unmarked, but he rushed to hit the ball high directly. The Blues missed another excellent opportunity, and there was a sigh in the Stamford Bridge stands.

In the 78th minute, Matteta of Crystal Palace tried a long-range shot, but was confiscated by Sanchez. In the 83rd minute, Eze shot hard at the front of the penalty area, and Sanchez flew to lift the ball out of the baseline. As the game is coming to an end, Chelsea's offense still has not improved. In the 89th minute, Gusto's long shot without a guard was far behind the baseline. In the 90th minute, Trapp volleyed in the penalty area and was hugged by Sanchez.

In the end, Chelsea and Crystal Palace failed to score in the first game of the new season, and the two sides finally shook hands 0-0 to make peace.

Squadrons of both sides:

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): 1-Sanchez/24-James (79’27-Gusto), 34-Achangpon, 23-Chaloba, 3-Curculella/25-Casedo, 8-Enzo (79’17-Santos)/7-Neto, 10-Palmer, 11-Gittens (54’41-Este Wan)/20-Pedro (73’9-Drapp)

Crystal Palace (4-3-1-2): 1-Henderson/2-Munhos, 3-Mitchell, 5-Lacroix/6-Gei, 26-Richards, 10-Eze (84’55-Devinny), 19-Huces (70’8-Lerma)/20-Warton, 7-Sal/14-Matta