Chelsea stumble to 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in underwhelming Premier League opener
Chelsea’s Premier League season started with a flat 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
For a team coming off a Club World Cup win and with so much expectation, this was far from the statement fans were hoping for.
Chelsea lack spark without Colwill
Chelsea had the ball for most of the game but didn’t do enough with it.
Without Levi Colwill, who is out for the season with an ACL injury, the defence felt shaky and the attack looked disconnected. Colwill doesn’t just defend well - he also helps start attacks from the back, and his absence was clear.
Young Josh Acheampong filled in alongside Trevoh Chalobah, while in attack, new signing Estevao came on in the second half, but nothing really clicked.
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Palace continue to thrive against the big six
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, came in full of confidence. This is the same Palace that shocked Manchester City to win the FA Cup last season, and just a little over a week ago beat Liverpool in the Community Shield on penalties.
They may not have created much in open play at the Bridge, but they looked organised and carried belief from their recent success.
Their best moment came when Eberechi Eze scored from a free-kick, but VAR ruled it out for an infringement.
For Chelsea, it was a reminder that possession means little without purpose. They controlled the game but lacked ideas, especially in the final third.
"Apart from the free-kick where the goal was disallowed, I don't think we concede chances,” said Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“But at the same time, we know how tough they are, how well organised they are, and this is the reason why they beat Liverpool and City in the last two finals.”
For Palace, it was another result that showed they can frustrate and stand up to the so-called ‘big six’.
It’s only the first game of the season, but the contrast was telling. Chelsea looked short of rhythm. Palace looked like a team that knows exactly who they are.
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