Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace: VAR Denies Eze in Stamford Bridge Stalemate

Eze Free-Kick Ruled Out by VAR as Chelsea Held by Palace

Eberechi Eze saw a superb free-kick disallowed by VAR as Crystal Palace frustrated Chelsea in a goalless Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge.

Eze Denied by Rare VAR Call

The 27-year-old, linked with a move to Tottenham, powered a free-kick past Robert Sánchez in the 13th minute. But after a review, referee Darren England ruled it out because teammate Marc Guehi was within one metre of Chelsea’s wall – a seldom-applied rule introduced in 2019.

Palace, who looked the sharper side early on, also threatened through Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maxence Lacroix, but could not find a breakthrough.

Chelsea Struggle in Attack

Fresh from winning the Club World Cup, Chelsea looked flat in the first half and needed their debutants – Estevao Willian, Liam Delap, and Andrey Santos – to inject some urgency after the break.

Despite boasting an attacking line worth nearly £250m – Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Jamie Gittens among them – the Blues managed just three shots on target.

Palace Facing Break-Up?

Manager Oliver Glasner again relied on the XI that won last season’s FA Cup and Community Shield, but the Eagles’ future looks uncertain. Eze is in talks with Spurs, Guehi has attracted Liverpool, and Mateta and Adam Wharton are also linked with moves away.

The away end voiced their frustrations, chanting against ownership rules after the club were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League.

What’s Next

• Chelsea continue their bedding-in process under a squad full of summer signings.

• Crystal Palace face a tense end to the transfer window as they try to keep hold of their stars.